CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – Charlotte announced plans to impose mandatory water-use restrictions starting in May as “exceptional” drought conditions expand across the region.
Officials said the city will implement Stage 2 mandatory restrictions under the regional “Low Inflow Protocol” beginning Friday, May 15. For full breakdown of the Low Inflow Protocol, view the bottom of this article.
Charlotte Water officials announced the water restrictions on Friday, May 1, after the region’s worsening drought triggered a Stage 2 declaration under the protocol.
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Mandatory restrictionsOutdoor wateringHow often? no more than 2 days per weekOnly between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.Odd-numbered addresses: Tuesday and SaturdayEven-numbered addresses: Wednesday and SundayResidential swimming pools (topping off only)May be topped off Thursdays and Sundays onlyOnly between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.Customers may notWash vehicles at homeFill residential swimming poolsOperate water features that do not support aquatic lifePower wash surfaces for non-essential purposesHold charity or fundraising car wash eventsAdditional recommended actionsReduce indoor and outdoor water useWater lawns with no more than 1 inch per week (including rainfall)Identify and repair water leaks as quickly as possibleCustomers are permitted toUse drip irrigation, soaker hoses, or hand-water plants/landscapingUse commercial car wash facilities
The mandatory water restrictions come after “exceptional” drought has been introduced into Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Stanly, and Union Counties for the first time since 2008.
WBTV meteorologist Rachel Coulter said “historically, daily life is typically affected at this (exceptional) stage of drought, with crop loss and added stress on farmers realized. Reservoirs, well water, and lake levels are low and mandatory restrictions come into play. ”
Though several rounds of rain are set to move over the Charlotte region, our the rainfall deficit remains high amid worsening drought conditions.
What is the ‘Low Inflow Protocol’?
The “Low Inflow Protocol” establishes water-reduction measures during periods of low inflow to the Catawba-Wateree basin, which provides drinking water to more than two million people across 24 counties in North and South Carolina.
In Stage 2, Charlotte Water is asking residents to reduce non-essential water use to protect the region’s water supply, specifically from the Catawba-Wateree basin.
As of May 1, the basin entered Stage 2 of the five drought stages, triggering mandatory water restrictions instead of the previous voluntary restrictions.
The goal of Stage 2 is to reduce overall water use by 5% to 10% to preserve reservoir storage, sustain downstream flow needs, and maintain drinking water availability across the basin until conditions improve.
Several regional counties have followed suit in implementing mandatory water restrictions, including Iredell County, while others remain under Stage 1 restrictions.
Statewide maps show North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia have seen record-dry conditions since September 2025, based on records dating back to 1895.
Read more: Charlotte region sees driest 6-month stretch since 1971, officials say
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