Tag Archives: drinking water

Drought & Conservation

Understanding Charlotte’s Current Drought Conditions

The Charlotte region is currently experiencing drought conditions due to ongoing dry weather and below-average rainfall across the Catawba-Wateree River Basin.


The Catawba-Wateree River Basin is a shared water supply that supports nearly two million people across North and South Carolina. It provides drinking water, supports businesses and industry, protects environmental resources, and powers recreation throughout the region.
Because so many communities rely on the same water system, drought conditions require a coordinated regional response.

graphic of a dial showing stage 2 mandatory water restrictions are in effect


Charlotte Water works closely with regional partners, including Duke Energy and the Drought Management Advisory Group, to monitor conditions and protect the long-term reliability of our water supply. Several factors are reviewed regularly, including lake and river levels, streamflow conditions, rainfall totals, and data from the U.S. Drought Monitor.


While recent rainfall may temporarily improve conditions, drought recovery takes time. The region needs consistent rainfall over an extended period to significantly improve lake levels and restore long-term water supplies.

photo of boat on ground due to low lake levels
Taken by Cam Coley, employee City of Charlotte, Charlotte Water


Water conservation plays an important role in protecting our shared water resources during drought conditions. Reducing non-essential water use helps preserve water for essential community needs like drinking water, firefighting, healthcare, and public safety.

Customers can help by:
• Repairing leaks promptly
• Reducing outdoor water use
• Watering efficiently
• Running full loads of laundry and dishes
• Taking shorter showers
• Following current water restrictions

Charlotte Water also continues responding to leaks throughout Mecklenburg County during drought conditions. Our crews prioritize repairs based on public safety concerns, water loss, service impacts, and the severity of the leak. You can learn more about how leaks are prioritized and repaired here:
“How Charlotte Water Staff Prioritize Leaks”


Customers looking for ways to conserve water and reduce waste can also explore:
“Save Money, Save Water”
“Fixing at-home leaks”

Charlotte Water will continue monitoring conditions closely and providing updates as needed. Additional drought resources, conservation tips, and restriction information are available at charlottewater.org.


Drought response is a shared regional effort, and conservation from every customer helps protect the long-term reliability of our water supply.


Every drop counts.

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

Events, News, What's Going On?

Neighbor Helping Neighbor: Charlotte Water Answers the Call

When emergencies impact water systems, utilities across North Carolina work together to help communities recover. That’s exactly what Charlotte Water is doing by providing assistance to Anson County as it continues recovery efforts following recent impacts to its water system.

Two Charlotte Water pickup trucks

As part of long-standing mutual aid partnerships, Charlotte Water has deployed crews to support Anson County with system flushing, an important step in restoring water quality. At the same time, water samples from Anson County are being analyzed at Charlotte Water’s state-certified laboratory, helping expedite the testing process and provide timely, accurate results.

Mutual aid agreements allow water utilities to share specialized personnel, equipment and technical expertise when emergencies occur. This collaboration helps affected communities recover more quickly while ensuring critical services continue uninterrupted.

Charlotte Water has the personnel and laboratory capacity to support Anson County while continuing to provide safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services to our own customers. There is no impact to Charlotte Water operations or service levels.

“Helping neighboring communities during times of need is part of what we do,” said Charlotte Water Director Angela Charles. “Our mutual aid partnerships strengthen our region’s resilience and ensure utilities can support one another when unexpected challenges arise.”

Charlotte Water remains in close coordination with Anson County and regional utility partners throughout the recovery effort.

Residents seeking information about Anson County’s water system operations, boil water advisory, restoration timeline or other local response efforts should contact Anson County officials, who are leading the incident response.

At Charlotte Water, we’re proud to support our neighbors and demonstrate the strength of regional partnerships that help keep communities safe.

General, How Things Work, My Water, Wastewater, Water Quality

Plumbing Tips When Buying A House

Buying a house is exciting and a little scary. Before you pick the final one, check out below tips to reduce future costs and concerns…

Questions to ask the owner / realtor

  • Is the water service provided by Charlotte Water, a third party, or is the property on a private well?
    • Is wastewater service also provided by Charlotte Water?
  • If the house was built more than 50 years ago, has the plumbing been replaced? If it hasn’t, that could cost thousands of dollars to replace.
  • Are there any utility easements under the property?
  • Is there a pressure-reducing valve on the water service line?
  • Where is the water meter?
    • If the water meter is between the street and a sidewalk, and the private plumbing service line needs to be replaced, any damage to a sidewalk will be up to the property owner to pay.

Easements

CLTWater easements are not typically reported as part of a title search for title insurance when purchasing a property. Surveying the property is the best way to determine if there are any easements on it.​ Learn more at https://cltwaterblog.org/2023/03/easement-101/.

Low Water Pressure

If the property is at the top of a hill or on the highest part of the neighborhood, it is likely you will experience lower water pressure than others in the neighborhood. Learn more about other possible factors at charlottewater.org.

High Water Pressure

If the property is located beside a creek, at the bottom of a hill, or in the lowest part of the neighborhood, it may have higher water pressure than other properties in the neighborhood. Learn more about other possible factors at charlottewater.org.

Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV)

If the house is located in a geographically low area (near a creek) or near a water pumping facility, the water pressure may exceed 80 psi. Learn more at charlottewater.org.

Irrigation and Backflow Prevention Device Testing

If the house has an irrigation system, it probably also has a backflow prevention device that requires testing. 

Wastewater Cleanout

Most homes also have a white plastic lid, commonly referred to as a cleanout. This provides access to the wastewater pipe between your house and the public wastewater system, allowing you to inspect and clear blockages. Many houses do not have a cleanout and may be worth considering, especially if you have trees in the front yard.

Backwater Valve

A plumbing fixture called a backwater valve can prevent sewage backups. The North Carolina State Plumbing Code has required backwater valves in some homes since the early 1930s. If your plumbing fixtures are located below the top of the first upstream manhole, state regulations require the installation of a backwater valve. To determine if your property has a backwater valve or needs one, please consult a professional plumber or contractor. Learn more about other possible wastewater issues at charlottewater.org.


Waterfront Properties and Homes Lower Than The Public Street

If your future home is on waterfront property or the public road is higher than your house, the house may have a low-pressure sanitary sewer system to pump your wastewater up to the gravity-fed sewer system. Make sure you understand how old the pump is and if there have been any issues with the system. If you choose to purchase the home, consider having a plumber inspect it occasionally.

Read Inspector Notes

Consider getting a home inspector to investigate the house. When reviewing the inspector’s notes, pay close attention to any remarks related to the plumbing system. The inspector may provide details about the pipe type and age, potential water or wastewater issues, and the presence of easements affecting the property. Do any of the noted issues need immediate repair?

When reading the home inspection report, you may see information about water flow in gallons per minute (gpm) or water pressure in pounds per square inch (psi). The minimum expected levels at the water meter are

  • Flow is equal to or greater than 8 gpm
  • Pressure is equal to or greater than 20 psi
  • If the house numbers are lower than these, please consult with the inspector on readings. Backflow prevention devices, pressure-reducing valves, whole-house filtration systems, and other attachments to the plumbing system may restrict flow or pressure inside a home.

Set Up Your Account Days Before Moving In

Don’t forget…before moving in, call us to set up your account several days in advance. Learn more at https://www.charlottenc.gov/water/Customer-Care/Start-Stop-Service

Other Resources

My Charlotte Lookup to learn about property, district, and trash/recycling details.

Photobook of Water and Wastewater Construction to learn more about what water and wastewater structures may be in a yard and how to determine the type of plumbing you have.

Cautionary Tale: Replace Old Water Service Line Before It Becomes an Emergency.