Charlotte area residents asked to limit water use as ‘extreme drought’ spreads
Charlotte and surrounding communities are implementing voluntary water restrictions amid persistently dry weather.
Below-average rainfall since September has caused the 11 reservoirs in the Catawba-Wateree Basin — and the streams that feed into them — to deplete below normal levels, the local Drought Management Advisory Group said in a news release Thursday. Charlotte’s tap water supply comes primarily from Mountain Island Lake and Lake Norman, both part of the Catawba-Wateree Basin.
The entire state of North Carolina is currently in a drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Parts of Mecklenburg County are in an “extreme drought.” Swaths of South Carolina, from the Georgia border to York County and near the coast, are also experiencing “extreme drought.”
Friday, town of Mooresville officials urged residents to limit outdoor irrigation, avoid watering between sunrise and sunset to prevent evaporation, take shorter showers and run only full loads of laundry and dishes. Consider delaying vehicle washing and power-washing exterior surfaces, officials said.
“We need your help to achieve a community-wide reduction in water use,” Mooresville officials said on social media.
Concord officials issued a similar plea, saying the city is “experiencing extreme drought conditions, with water levels at Lake Howell 11 inches below full.”
“By cooperating as a community and starting conservation efforts early, we can help protect our collective water resources,” Jimmy Bagley, Rock Hill’s deputy city manager and chair of the advisory group, said in the release. “Everyone uses water in their daily lives and with over 2 million people using water from this basin, we are asking everyone to take action to reduce their water use.”
Charlotte is now in the second of five drought response stages under what’s called the low inflow protocol. The first stage is only a watch, while the fifth stage is an emergency that restricts water to essential uses.
Under the current stage, Charlotte residents are asked to voluntarily reduce their water consumption by 3% to 5%. This is the first time since 2023 Charlotte has implemented a voluntary water restriction, which takes effect Monday. Raleigh is also implementing restrictions.
Charlotte Water asks residents to take the following measures to limit non-essential water use:
- Limit outdoor watering to no more than two days per week
- odd-numbered addresses: Tuesday and Saturday
- even-numbered addresses: Wednesday and Sunday
- Avoid watering lawns during the peak heat of the day
- Limit watering to one inch per week, including rainfall
- Avoid washing hard surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks, and streets
- Use commercial car washes that recycle water, or minimize vehicle washing at home
- Repair leaks promptly in irrigation systems, outdoor spigots, and indoor plumbing
“Taking early voluntary action helps reduce the likelihood of more stringent mandatory restrictions if dry conditions persist,” Charlotte Water said in a news release.
Staff Writer Joe Marusak contributed.
This story was originally published April 16, 2026 at 6:46 PM with the headline "Charlotte area residents asked to limit water use as ‘extreme drought’ spreads."
