The cities of Concord and Kannapolis announced today that customers of both municipalities’ water systems should now follow Level 1 water use restrictions, due to regional drought conditions. These restrictions are for the municipalities of Concord, Kannapolis, Harrisburg, Landis and Midland.

The Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group (CW-DMAG) today announced that this summer’s dry weather and above-average temperatures have moved the Catawba-Wateree Basin into Stage 1 drought levels 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. Although not public water suppliers in the Catawba River Basin, Concord and Kannapolis follow the group’s drought stages as part of the Interbasin Transfer Agreement.

Customers are reminded that under normal, responsible water use guidelines adopted by Concord and Kannapolis, lawn irrigation is ONLY allowed on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Those who violate the specified lawn irrigation days watering rule will receive written notice of the violation and the appropriate fee will be assessed. 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.

Level 1 voluntary restrictions means 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.

On July 2, the CW-DMAG entered into the Stage 0 LIP drought watch. Dry conditions and above-average temperatures continued worsening, leading to today’s Stage 1 announcement. 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.

The towns are thanking customers for reducing their demand and assisting with extending limited water supplies during drought conditions. 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.

Customer contacts:  Christie Putnam, Concord Water Resources Director, 704-920-5300;

Wilmer Melton, Kannapolis Public Works, 704-920-4200.