Recent research has uncovered alarming environmental changes in North Cape Coral, where nearly 40 square miles of land are sinking at an estimated rate of over an inch per year. This subsidence is largely attributed to the over-pumping of aquifers beneath the city for household water supplies.
A new study claims that the reverse osmosis plant in North Cape Coral, which converts brackish water from deep underground into drinking water, is situated within a depression caused by excessive water extraction from wellfields beneath the city.
The in-depth study, published in the Journal of Science of Remote Sensing by the Geological Survey of Norway, details the troubling impact of Cape Coral's desalination plant. The plant relies on 22 wells scattered throughout the region to pump brackish water from depths of up to 1,250 feet. This water is then processed through reverse osmosis to produce over one million gallons of potable water daily for the city’s rapidly growing population.
However, this high rate of water extraction is having severe environmental repercussions. According to the study, the aggressive pumping has lowered the water table by more than three feet per year, leaving vast underground spaces that once held water to collapse. This collapse has created a void large enough to accommodate the volume of water equivalent to eight Empire State Buildings.
The compaction of the aquifer means it can no longer refill, leading to significant subsidence above the depleted aquifer. The land surrounding the desalination plant has sunk by as much as 1.5 feet. This subsidence poses a serious threat to the infrastructure in the area, including numerous homes, several high schools, two middle schools, two parks, two sports complexes, and a hospital.
The study’s authors highlight groundwater pumping for desalination as the primary cause of land subsidence in the northern part of Cape Coral. They caution that continued overuse of the aquifer may increase the risk of natural sinkhole formation.
Conflicting Opinions and Broader Implications
Rachael Rotz, a hydrogeologist at The Water School at Florida Gulf Coast University, who was not involved in the study, suggests that other factors could be contributing to the subsidence. She points out that Cape Coral is experiencing a significant population surge, which involves extensive development, new construction, and increased irrigation. Rotz argues that these factors might be contributing to the land sinking, and cautions against attributing the subsidence solely to water pumping.
Despite the differing opinions, the potential for structural issues caused by the sinking land is undeniable. Land subsidence is a critical but often overlooked consequence of certain land-use and water-pumping practices.
Florida leads the U.S. in the use of desalination technology, with over 130 plants across the state, most of which are located in coastal central and southern regions. Cape Coral was a pioneer in large-scale reverse osmosis desalination when it first implemented the technology in 1977. The city now operates two plants, producing approximately 30 million gallons of fresh water daily.
The northern desalination plant, operational since 2010, has contributed to a significant drop in groundwater levels, with a reported decrease of over three feet per year. The Norwegian study indicates that the most severe subsidence occurs precisely where the northern plant's wells extract water, with subsidence rates matching the areas affected by the wells.
Cape Coral’s communications manager, Melissa Mickey, deferred comment on the study to Mayor John Gunter, who did not respond to interview requests.
The deeper wells feed Cape Coral's desalination plants that provides 1.6 million gallons of drinking water daily
Global Context and Future Outlook
The U.S. Geological Survey reports that subsidence affects over 17,000 square miles across 45 states, with 80% of these issues stemming from underground water exploitation. This trend is expected to worsen with ongoing development, which will likely exacerbate existing subsidence problems and create new ones.
While Florida’s water managers are optimistic about meeting future drinking water needs, the National Resources Defense Council warns that the state is at high risk of water shortages by 2050 due to increasing demand surpassing sustainable supply.
The Norwegian study on Cape Coral’s subsidence does not assign blame but underscores the need for more sustainable water management practices. It draws parallels with global cases in Turkey, China, and Mexico City, where similar groundwater extraction issues have led to subsidence.
“This study highlights a significant local environmental issue while connecting it to a broader global pattern of groundwater extraction impacts,” the researchers conclude. They stress the importance of sustainable resource management to mitigate further environmental damage.
People also ask:
Is North Cape Coral sinking?
Scientists from the Geological Survey of Norway, who look at sinking patterns around the world, found that parts of Cape Coral are sinking. Local experts we spoke with agree, but some say more research needs to be done to figure out what's causing it
Is Cape Coral below sea level?
3′ Cape Coral / Elevation
How likely is Cape Coral to flood?
Buildings at risk in Cape Coral average about a 83% chance of a flood about 6.2 feet deep over 30 years.
Are people leaving Cape Coral?
Cape Coral saw a net negative (outbound) resident count flow. There were 410 residents moved out of the state.
Why is Cape Coral so cheap to live?
The cost of living in this beautiful community is much lower than the national average. Besides, the state does not collect income tax, estate tax, inheritance tax, or intangible property tax. The sales tax rate is also relatively low, between 6-7.5%.
4020 Del Prado Blvd S. Unit B2, Cape Coral, FL 33904
O. (239)770-5429
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