The cities of Concord and Kannapolis continue to monitor water levels of all the streams that provide raw water for treatment and distribution to their customers.
While rainfall has contributed to the rising levels of the water reservoirs, Lake Howell is still over 3 feet below full pond and stream flows feeding all reservoirs are below normal.
To be prepared for a dry summer season when evaporation is at its peak, stream flows should be closer to normal levels for all reservoirs serving our communities to be full.
While irrigation with sprinklers and other automated watering devices is still banned at all times, restrictions on watering using a spring-loaded nozzle have been revised to allow limited use.
Water use restrictions for customers of the municipalities of Concord, Kannapolis, Harrisburg, Landis and Mount Pleasant are amended effective Saturday, May 3.
The following activities are permitted all day on Tuesday and Saturday:
– Watering of trees, flowers, shrubs, ornamental plants and vegetable gardens for plant preservation.
– Watering must be performed with a hand-held hose equipped with a spring-loaded nozzle. The user shall ensure the minimum amount of water used for watering.
The following activity will be permitted on the first and third Saturday of each month between 8 a.m. and noon effective Saturday. This time period has been established to be consistent with the other jurisdictions adhering to the Catawba Low Inflow Protocol.
– Residential car washing will be allowed using a hand-held hose equipped with a spring-loaded nozzle.
The following activities ARE NOT permitted under the modifications to the Level III Mandatory Water Restrictions:
– NO lawn watering using any type of system connected to the municipal water system shall be permitted.
– NO irrigation services will be activated. Irrigation services may be installed; but no meters will be set or activated until the drought has subsided.
– Filling of swimming pools and operation of ornamental fountains is still prohibited; however, topping off is acceptable.
– Use of water for wash down of outside areas is prohibited except for pressure washing businesses with an appropriate privilege license. These businesses will ensure the waste of water does not occur.
All other restrictions remain in effect.
These modifications are in compliance with the Interbasin Transfer Certificate and with the guidelines set forth by Duke Management Advisory Group.
Without continued rainfall, conditions could change rapidly. Town officials encourage citizens to remain diligent in their conservation efforts. Customers are reminded to pursue projects cautiously given the persistent drought conditions and should remain aware of current water use restrictions as published.