CONCORD and KANNAPOLIS – The cities of Concord and Kannapolis announced today that customers of both municipalities’ water systems should now follow Level 1 water use restrictions, following the regional drought management plan. These restrictions are for the municipalities of Concord, Kannapolis, Harrisburg, Landis, and Mount Pleasant.
The Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group (CW-DMAG) today announced that August’s dry weather has moved the Catawba-Wateree Basin back into Stage 1 drought level of the Low Inflow Protocol (LIP). The LIP is the regional drought management plan that major water users in the Basin use to share responsibility and set priorities to conserve the limited water supply during periods of low inflow.
The Basin entered Stage 1 last October but, due to improving conditions, briefly returned to a Stage 0 “watch” level during July and August before dropping again this month to the voluntary conservation Stage 1 status. Continued decline of the Basin’s drought triggers could prompt a Stage 2 LIP drought level in the future with mandatory water use restrictions being instituted by Local Water Suppliers.
Customers are reminded that under normal, responsible water use guidelines adopted by Concord and Kannapolis, the following is always in effect:
• Lawn irrigation will ONLY be allowed on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
• Those who violate the specified lawn irrigation days watering rule will receive written notice of the violation and the appropriate fee will be assessed.
Entering Level 1 restrictions asks the public to voluntarily further reduce water use. The following activities are permitted, but users are encouraged to limit:
• The filling, operation or topping off of ornamental fountains.
• Residential car washing will be allowed using a hand-held hose or pressure washer, both equipped with a spring-loaded nozzle.
• Residential use of water for wash down of outside areas using a hand-held hose or pressure washer, both equipped with a spring-loaded nozzle.
• Watering of trees, flowers, shrubs, ornamental plants and vegetable gardens for plant preservation.
• Automated irrigation services may be installed and activated.
• Filling of swimming pools by permit. Topping off of previously filled pools is still acceptable at any time.
• All customers are allowed to use pressure washing devices.
Concord and Kannapolis are committed to environmentally sustainable water use practices 365 days a year during normal conditions and periods of drought. Irrigation creates the single largest demand for water during spring and summer months.
Research shows that properly maintained lawns only need 1 inch of water per week to thrive, and it is best to water during evening and early morning hours.
We thank our customers for reducing their demand and assisting us with extending our limited water supplies during drought conditions. Our businesses and residents continue to demonstrate leadership in water conservation and environmental protection.
The aforementioned water use restrictions do not apply to those customers using wells or ponds for irrigation purposes. However, all users are encouraged to remain diligent in their conservation efforts regardless of the water source.