Drought Resources

As of 6/12/2026:

• Total Violations Reported:748
• Total Violations: 143
• Total Variances Received: 175
• Total Variances Approved: 94
• Total Appeals Received: 14

Stage 2 Goal: 5% - 10%

As of 6/12/2026:

Reduction from baseline: 18.6%

Essential water use is required for public health and safety, such as hospitals and fire protection.

Community and business water use supports critical operations or provides community value, such as certain commercial activities or recreational facilities.

Discretionary water use includes optional activities like lawn watering, decorative fountains, and cosmetic cleaning.

Restrictions primarily target discretionary uses in Stage 2. 

Mandatory restrictions in Stage 2 focus on reducing discretionary water use, meaning activities that are not essential to health, safety, or critical business or community functions.

Examples of prohibited uses include:

• Residential, discretionary car washing
• Filling pools
• Operating ornamental fountains
• non-essential, discretionary power washing

Mandatory restrictions in Stage 2 do not apply to essential, community and business uses. Some activities that are normally discretionary may still be allowed if performed as licensed business or community-serving functions.

Yes, visit the Business Resources page.

Conditions have reached a point where action is needed now to protect the system and maintain reliability.

It depends on conditions. The Drought Management Advisory Group reviews data every other week and updates will be provided as conditions change.

You need a variance if:

• The activity is prohibited, and
• You believe it is necessary for health, safety, regulatory compliance, or critical business operations.

Yes. Hand watering, soaker hoses and drip irrigation are allowed.

Charlotte Water will follow the same non-payment process as it would any other time.

Yes, residents can use well water without restriction.

Mandatory water restrictions apply to municipal drinking water.

Hand watering means watering that is done by hand using simple tools, such as a garden hose, hose with a handheld nozzle, or a watering can. If you are holding the hose or watering can and controlling the water yourself, it is considered hand watering.

The odd-even watering schedule is based on the service address of the property. For large HOAs, apartment communities, and multi-family properties, irrigation must follow the odd or even schedule based on the service address associated with the water account.