Charlotte Water Imposes Mandatory Restrictions

Photo by Vecteezy

Charlotte Water, which services Cornelius, will implement mandatory water restrictions beginning May 15 due to ongoing dry conditions. The restrictions are part of the utility’s Low Inflow Protocol Stage 2 response.

Charlotte Water will require customers to limit irrigation of lawns and landscapes to no more than two days per week between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Odd-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays and Saturdays, while even-numbered addresses may water on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Residential swimming pools may be topped off only on Thursdays and Sundays during the same overnight hours.

Under the restrictions, customers may not wash vehicles at home, fill residential swimming pools, operate decorative water features that do not support aquatic life, power wash surfaces for nonessential purposes or hold charity car wash events.

Customers are encouraged to reduce indoor and outdoor water use, limit lawn watering to one inch per week, including rainfall, and promptly repair leaks.

The utility said customers may still use drip irrigation, soaker hoses or hand watering for plants and may use commercial car wash facilities.

The agency said violators could face a $100 fine but a representative did not provide further details on enforcement.

The last time Charlotte Water implemented voluntary water restrictions was in 2023, and the last time it imposed mandatory water restrictions 2007-2009.

Charlotte Water said it will continue monitoring drought conditions and coordinating with regional partners through the Drought Management Advisory Group. Additional measures could be implemented if conditions worsen.