CAPE CORAL, Fla. -- Some residents in Cape Coral are concerned about water levels in their canals lately. But the city could have an answer for that problem.
Kayaking in the canal was never really much of a problem for Rick and his family, until now. "It looks like a swamp. I didn't want to live in the Everglades, this is terrible."
And boating was never a problem for his neighbor Joe. "When we moved here, this canal was up to level, and now I feel like I'm living on a ditch; the water has dropped tremendously."
Some who live in the Cape have probably seen lower water levels. Well, you can blame Mother Nature. Since the start of dry season on October 1st, the canals in Cape Coral are 5 inches lower. The city says that's about average this time of year.
Now the city has a million-dollar plan to help with the low levels…literally. The city has a $1.1 million grant that will cover the cost of a 20-year water use permit for a water main pump station from the southwest aggregate property, which will discharge into Gator Slough.
If you didn't know, Gator Slough is where Cape Coral's fresh water canal system is recharged.
"Obviously the City of Cape Coral is growing, so there's more demand on the irrigation water system, which is why the city has been working on these alternative projects to supplement the irrigation supply," says city representative Maureen Buice.
Even with the plan in place, the city still wants residents to stick to the 2-day water schedule.
But at least it looks like a solution to the water levels.
The city says the southwest aggregate plan is expected to start in 2020
