Group in Cape Coral working to enforce water restrictions

One group is making sure that people aren’t adding to Cape Coral’s shrinking water problem. They do their best to enforce the restrictions.

Dave Foley with Cape Coral’s Watering Office is up before the crack of dawn every day.

“We’re out here 24/7, every day of the week,” Foley said.

He drives around Cape Coral and looks for those who are violating the city’s water rules. Tuesday morning, WINK News joined him.

“This morning, I’ve given out two citations and two warnings,” Foley said.

Most people get into trouble for watering their lawns on the days they aren’t supposed to. Because of high irrigation use, the city’s freshwater canals are running low, making it more difficult to feed water to Cape’s 800-plus fire hydrants.

“When these canals start getting lower and lower, you see the boat sitting in the mud,” Foley said.

Tom Preseau has a boat and sees the impact of dry season right outside his window.

“The water’s shrinking and I’ve never seen it this way before. You never saw the sand over there like that, and if you look down here, it’s ridiculous,” he said.

Foley said they aren’t trying to upset people, just remind them to follow the restrictions.

“We’re not really trying to gouge anybody here; a lot of times we just give out schedules to try to help the people and tell them that you just can’t be watering because if we all run out of water, we’re going to be in a lot of trouble,” Foley said.

His best advice is to stick to the watering schedule or be prepared to pay a hefty fine, which could be as high as $400.

The city issued 4,000 water violations during dry season.