IRRIGATION SERVICE APPLICATION

WHAT IS IRRIGATION WATER?

Irrigation water is a service from the City of Cape Coral's Utilities Division. The Utilities Division currently provides potable water and sewer service to its customers. Irrigation water service will provide reclaimed and canal freshwater to utility customers for irrigation and other non-potable needs. Safeguards have been established to ensure the quality of the water. In addition to State required testing, continuous on-line monitoring of the reclaimed water occurs 24 hours a day. Also, water from the freshwater canals will be filtered and disinfected.

HOW DOES IRRIGATION WATER HELP YOU SAVE?

The City of Cape Coral's irrigation water program helps you save in the following ways: First, by reducing present and future demand for potable water while conserving the aquifer -our primary potable water source. Second, irrigation water service helps you save money. After the initial investment for the system, a small flat rate will be charged for residential customers. Commercial and multifamily customers will be metered and charged a comparable rate for gallons used. Since sewer charges are based on potable water consumption, water customers using irrigation water will experience lower sewer costs. Finally, it will delay for many years the development of costly new potable water sources and treatment facilities.

HOW IS IRRIGATION WATER TO BE USED?

The most practical way to use irrigation water is through an in ground automatic sprinkler system. When the service box is installed, a 1" PVC fitting will be provided. The customer will then install a pipe (1" schedule 40 PVC is acceptable) from the service box to the sprinkler control feed. This pipe must be buried at least 12" deep. You must disconnect your irrigation system from the well piping before connecting to the City's irrigation water. It is not appropriate for the City's irrigation water to be used for drinking, bathing, filling swimming pools or direct contact watering of edible crops, which are not peeled, skinned, or cooked. It may NOT be piped into any residences or piped to any other hose connection.

Per City Ord. 19-150, Multi-Family (3 units or more) or Commercial properties that wish to make use of the City’s irrigation water system will be required to have installed an approved backflow preventer prior to issuance of a dual water permit. It is the responsibility of the water user to have competent inspections made at least once a year, with the results being made available to the City.

CUSTOMERS NOW IRRIGATING WITH WELL WATER CAN BENEFIT BY SWITCHING TO THE IRRIGATION WATER PROGRAM.

Those using wells for irrigation will save on pump costs for operation, maintenance and repair. Pressure will be higher than most well pumps generate, resulting in better coverage. In addition, City irrigation water will not stain concrete or have odor like well water.
No connection can be done until a “City Approved Kit A” has been installed. Tampering fees may apply for illegal connections.