Permit coordination
We prepare the licensed-plumber utility permit scope, review the required City forms and coordinate the connection sequence with the owner's utility application and meter status.
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Licensed Cape Coral utility contractor · CFC1433627
Cape Coral UEP connections, handled start to finish.
Smooth Plumbing specializes in complete private-side water, sewer, irrigation and septic-conversion work for Cape Coral's Utilities Extension Project. We coordinate the project from the first site review through permits, inspections, backfill and restoration.
The short answer
What do homeowners need to do?
After a developed Cape Coral property receives a Notice of Availability, the owner generally has 180 days to connect to available City potable water and wastewater service. Irrigation requirements may vary by UEP area. The owner completes the utility application and pays City charges; a licensed plumber permits, installs, tests and coordinates inspection of the private-side connection.
Reviewed against Cape Coral guidance on . Always follow the deadline and services listed in your property's notice.
Current Cape Coral UEP snapshot
North 1 connections are moving forward.
As of this page's July 28, 2026 review, Cape Coral reports that all North 1 West contractors have received substantial completion and all North 1 West Notice of Availability letters have been sent. The City reports North 1 East construction began after December 2025 notices to proceed, with an anticipated two-year construction duration and completion near the end of 2027.
Check the City's current North 1 statusOne coordinated project
Everything needed on the private side.
A UEP connection is not just a sewer trench. It is a coordinated conversion of the property's water and wastewater systems, with inspection-ready work and a clear plan for the retired well, septic and irrigation components.
Potable water
The new water service is routed from the City meter to the building with approved piping, required burial, separation, disinfection, testing and an accessible building shutoff.
Sanitary sewer
We install the building sewer to the City lateral with the required grade, cleanouts, directional fittings, test documentation and visible markings for inspection.
Irrigation connection
When required or selected, the irrigation system is separated from well piping and connected to the City's non-potable dual-water service using properly identified materials.
Septic abandonment
We coordinate pump-out, tank abandonment, clean fill and the health-department inspection when septic conversion is included in the project scope.
Backfill and restoration
Once inspections pass, we backfill the work and restore the affected areas included in the proposal, including required swale or site-restoration closeout.
The Smooth Plumbing process
From your City notice to final closeout.
Every property is different, but the responsibilities and approval sequence should be clear before excavation begins.
Review the Notice of Availability and property
We confirm the address, utility availability, City service locations, existing well and septic configuration, irrigation system, access, elevations and visible site constraints.
Define a complete connection scope
The proposal identifies the potable-water line, sanitary-sewer lateral, irrigation connection when applicable, septic abandonment coordination, permit responsibility, inspections, backfill and restoration.
Coordinate applications and permits
The owner completes the City utility account application and pays City charges. Smooth Plumbing prepares the licensed-plumber permit documents and coordinates required supporting forms.
Install the new utility piping
We excavate carefully, install approved water, sewer and irrigation piping, add required shutoffs and cleanouts, separate potable and non-potable systems and prepare the open work for inspection.
Test and coordinate inspections
Required testing and affidavits are completed, the trench remains open, and City inspections are coordinated. Any correction within our scope is addressed before the work is covered.
Complete septic abandonment
After the sewer connection is approved, we coordinate licensed pump-out and proper tank abandonment when included, followed by the required health-department inspection.
Backfill, restore and close out
After approvals, we backfill with suitable material, restore affected swales and site areas included in the proposal, complete the restoration inspection and organize project closeout.
Before excavation
We begin with the actual property—not a generic price.
Pipe length is only one part of a UEP connection. The route may cross a driveway, swale, landscaping, irrigation zones or areas crowded with existing utilities. Septic tanks and drain fields are not always where an owner expects them to be. Pool equipment, fences, sheds, trees and grade changes can affect access and restoration. We review these conditions so the proposal reflects a workable path and identifies what is included.
Cape Coral also requires attention to protected species and right-of-way conditions. The City's connection checklist calls for a burrowing-owl and gopher-tortoise affidavit. Restrictions may apply when protected wildlife or nesting areas are present. Existing City infrastructure, pavement, swales and bioswale media damaged during the private connection must be repaired before permit closure. Recognizing those conditions early reduces surprises and helps protect the property.
Call us when the Notice of Availability arrives—or earlier if you are preparing for an upcoming connection area. We can explain what information is useful, but the City's notice controls the official availability date, required services and connection deadline for the parcel.
Who handles what
Clear responsibilities prevent delays.
Property owner
The owner receives the Notice of Availability, completes the online Utility Extension Connection Application, supplies identification and the plumber's name, pays City charges and provides property access. The City application asks for the strap number and owner documentation. Owners should disclose known underground conditions, private improvements and schedule constraints before work begins.
Smooth Plumbing
We define and complete the authorized private-side plumbing scope, prepare permit documents, coordinate required affidavits, install and test the piping, leave the trench available for inspection, address plumbing corrections, coordinate included septic work, backfill after approval and complete the restoration identified in the proposal. We communicate key milestones so the owner knows what is waiting on the contractor, City or another agency.
City and health department
Cape Coral controls utility availability, account approval, meter installation, permits and water, sewer or irrigation inspections. The health department inspects septic abandonment. Their schedules, fees and approval decisions are outside a plumber's control. Smooth Plumbing coordinates the parts tied to our work but cannot waive City requirements or guarantee an agency inspection date.
Inspection-ready workmanship
Important Cape Coral hookup requirements.
The City's current hookup instructions reference the 2023 Florida Building Code—Plumbing and describe specific inspection expectations. The permittee remains responsible for satisfying the requirements applicable to the property and permit.
- Potable water and any private well or non-potable supply must remain separate; cross-connections are prohibited.
- The water service must include an accessible shutoff where it enters the building and remain deep enough after final grade.
- The sanitary sewer requires accessible cleanouts, proper fall, approved pipe and fittings, testing and visible markings.
- Irrigation water uses designated non-potable materials and cannot be piped into the residence or used as drinking water.
- Commercial, industrial and qualifying multifamily connections can require an RPZ backflow preventer and certification.
- Trenches stay open until the applicable City inspection is approved. Backfill comes after inspection.
City charges versus contractor scope
Understand which costs come from the City.
Cape Coral's “How to Connect” page currently lists a $325 meter installation fee, a $225 utility account deposit that may depend on a credit check, and a $100 septic abandonment permit fee. Those published amounts are separate from private plumbing work and are subject to change. The owner should confirm current charges directly with Customer Billing Services before relying on any total.
Smooth Plumbing prices the private work after reviewing the property. Important variables include service length, depth, equipment access, trench route, soil and groundwater, septic location, irrigation configuration, driveway or swale crossings, landscaping, restoration and unusual conflicts. A clear proposal is more useful than a low generic number that omits required work.
Direct answers
Cape Coral UEP connection FAQs
What is a Cape Coral UEP connection?
UEP stands for Utilities Extension Project. A UEP connection brings the City-provided potable water, sanitary sewer and, where required or selected, irrigation service from the utility connection points at the property to the home or business. The private-side work is performed under permit by a licensed plumber.
How long do I have to connect after receiving the City letter?
Cape Coral states that developed properties must connect to available water and wastewater utilities within 180 days of the date in the Notice of Availability. Irrigation requirements can depend on the specific UEP area. Confirm the deadline and required services shown in your own notice.
Can Smooth Plumbing handle the entire UEP project?
Yes. Smooth Plumbing specializes in managing the private-side connection from planning and permit coordination through water, sewer and applicable irrigation piping, testing, inspections, septic abandonment coordination, backfill and the restoration included in the proposal. City account applications, City fees and work performed directly by the City remain the property owner’s responsibility.
What happens to my septic tank?
Once the property connects to sanitary sewer, the old septic system must be properly abandoned. The tank is pumped by a licensed septage hauler, then collapsed or otherwise rendered unable to hold water in accordance with applicable requirements, filled with clean material and inspected. We coordinate this work when it is included in the project.
Can I keep my existing well?
The City says a well may remain, but allowed use can depend on the UEP project and current rules. The well and City potable system cannot be cross-connected. If City irrigation water is connected, the irrigation system must be disconnected from the well piping before that connection is made.
Why does the trench have to remain open?
Cape Coral’s published hookup instructions require the installed piping, markings, depth, cleanouts, separation and connections to remain visible until inspection approval. Covering work early can prevent the inspector from verifying it and may require reopening the trench.
What documents should I have before calling?
Have the Notice of Availability, property address, owner names, strap number if available, utility application status and any site plans or photos. Tell us about pools, fences, driveways, landscaping, wells, irrigation controls, septic locations, easements and known protected-species areas.
How much does a UEP connection cost?
Private-side pricing depends on pipe lengths, depth, access, septic location, irrigation configuration, driveway or swale impacts, restoration and unusual site conditions. Smooth Plumbing provides a property-specific proposal. City-published meter, deposit and septic-permit charges are separate and can change, so owners should confirm current amounts directly with Cape Coral.
Does Smooth Plumbing perform UEP work for businesses or multifamily properties?
Yes, subject to project review. Commercial, industrial and multifamily properties can have additional backflow, meter, access and coordination requirements. Cape Coral’s hookup instructions state that commercial, industrial and multifamily sites with three or more units require an RPZ backflow preventer at the service connection.
Primary sources
Check your parcel against official City guidance.
Smooth Plumbing is an independent licensed contractor and is not the City of Cape Coral. City rules, fees, forms and project status can change. These official resources were reviewed while preparing this page.
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