Cape Coral changes fertilizer ordinance, gives city power to extend ban to May

Cape Coral officials and experts say they are hopeful that a stronger fertilizer ordinance will help improve water quality but say compliance is essential.

The council voted unanimously in favor of the changes Oct. 6. The original ordinance was adopted in 2010, and the revisions come after many workshops and past attempts to address ugly algae blooms.

Nitrogen or phosphorous fertilizers already are prohibited from June 1 to Sept. 30.

The city is looking to protect its water quality by making several changes to the fertilizer ordinance, including giving the city manager the ability to extend restrictive application periods of fertilizers to May.