State loans $71M to Cape Coral for utility expansion

By Chad Gillis

The tally for Cape Coral utility expansion is now at $71 million after the state agreed Tuesday to loan the city $14 million.

The money will be used to extend portable water and municipal sewer services to about 5,200 homes, properties that currently use septic tanks and wells, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Cape Coral is known for its advanced water treatment and supply infrastructure, which is among the best, most efficient in the world.

"The state revolving funds allow the City of Cape Coral to continue moving forward with these essential utilities projects," said Paul Clinghan, Cape Coral's utilities extension project manager, in a release. "These loans enable the City to keep the overall costs to our property owners lower than other available financing options."

The project also includes more than 700,000 square feet of irrigation and wastewater pipes to further improve water reclaim and to reduce withdrawals from drinking water aquifers.