All posts by Cam Coley CLTWater Communications

General, Repairs and Spills, What's Going On?

Charlotte Water Responding to Main Leak on East 37th Street

Hi, Queen City! We’re sharing a quick update on emergency repair work taking place in the NoDa area.

What Happened

Charlotte Water received reports of a water main leak near the intersection of East 37th and North Davidson streets.

Our team was on-site quickly to assess the situation and reduce water flow on the street. Direct notifications were sent to neighbors within a three-block radius who may be impacted by temporary service disruptions or low pressure.

What Happens Next

  • CLTWater crews are coordinating with local utility partners to locate underground gas and telecommunication lines so our crews can dig safely.
  • Our team will excavate the site to reach the leaking pipe, complete the necessary repairs, and gradually restore full water pressure.
  • After repairs are made, CLTWater will flush the system and test the water quality. Once testing clears, we’ll send a final alert notifying impacted customers that service is fully restored.

We know water disruptions are a big inconvenience, and we truly appreciate your patience while our crews work to get everything fixed as quickly and safely as possible.

Additional details about our leak investigation, repair prioritization and repair process: How Charlotte Water Prioritizes Leaks | Charlotte Water Blog

Construction, How Things Work, Infrastructure Improvements

How CLTWater Repairs Leaks Under Highways, Interstates

To serve customers, CLTWater has water pipes under most roads, including crossing under highways and interstates.

So what happens when there is a leak or a necessary repair under a highway or interstate?

It starts with a lot of planning and preparation.

Teams of engineers and crews investigate the scope of the repair and begin working with the Charlotte Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to minimize impact on drivers.

Example: In the fall of 2024, crews installing a new pipe under Interstate 85 found excessive water entering the tunneling pits. Investigations revealed two underground leaks and cracked asphalt, which showed signs of water damage.

  • The team worked on an emergency plan.
  • At least one lane was closed on the interstate from 9:00 pm until 6:00 am Monday through Friday for at least a month.
  • Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) scans of each lane of the interstate helped identify the location of leaks and voids under the asphalt.
  • Stabilizing foam was injected under multiple lanes. More than 600, ¾ inch diameter holes were bored and injected to stabilize the subsurface.
  • The pipes were investigated from the inside using robot cameras. The pipes were in good condition, but some seals needed to be temporarily installed to keep them in service.
  • New pipes were installed inside the existing pipes to maintain use and minimize leaks.


Additional Resources:
How Charlotte Water Repairs Water Pipe Leaks | Charlotte Water Blog

Behind the Scenes, Construction, How Things Work, Repairs and Spills

Why are People Standing Around a Construction Site / Repair Site?

Everyone has a job to do…

To watch coworkers underground to ensure they are safe. If someone is injured they are to call 911.

To communicate with equipment operators about raising or lowering materials in or out of the trench.

To supervise or verify that the project or repair is being completed efficiently and effectively.

Training opportunities for new coworkers to see how we safely work in a trench.

To hand equipment and tools down to team members in the trench.

And sometimes they are waiting on more equipment or materials to be delivered.

Trenches are typically just enough space for the minimum number people to get the job done. The less digging, the less time to restore the trench.

General, My Water, Water Quality

Mountain Island Lake Lyngbya Management For Water Quality

Our excellent drinking water starts with protecting the source, The Catawba River. Charlotte Water (CLTWater) is part of the Catawba-Wateree Water Management Group (CWWMG), which manages the river and lake system.

A new program by the CWWMG will ensure algae and other bacteria do not negatively affect our source water.

Lyngbya, a thick blue-green algae grows year-round at the bottom of freshwater lakes throughout the southeastern US. Currently, Lyngbya infestation levels are low in Mountain Island Lake. We want to keep it low. Thanks to the efforts of the CWWMG, a treatment program was developed, funding 21 acres of Lyngbya treatment throughout Mountain Island Lake. This program will reduce the spread of Lyngbya.

The treatment program will span from April to September, using EPA-approved chelated copper-based algaecides. This proactive approach to environmental management is a testament to the community’s commitment to safeguarding the lake.

Resources:

Lyngbya Management Program Fact Sheet.

CLTWater Water Quality Information