In coordination with regional partners, the City of Concord and the City of Kannapolis will move to Level 2 mandatory water restrictions beginning today Friday, May 15, 2026. Despite some rainfall last week, drought conditions persist throughout Concord, Kannapolis, and across Cabarrus and Rowan counties. The mandatory water restrictions are needed to help protect the regional water supply by reducing nonessential water use. 

Mandatory Water Restrictions:

• Watering and irrigation of lawns, gardens, and ornamental plants is limited to the following times:
  •  Tuesdays after 8 p.m. – Wednesdays before 8 a.m.
  •  Saturdays after 8 p.m. – Sundays before 8 a.m.
• Permits are required for the filling of newly constructed or drained pools.
• No washing vehicles at home. 
• No pressure washing homes and driveways, except for professional pressure washing companies.
• Washing of public buildings, sidewalks, and streets is prohibited, unless required for safety or health regulations.

Customers may continue to:

• Use hand-held watering containers for gardens and plants. 
• Top off swimming pools.
• Use commercial car washes.
• Use professional pressure washing companies to wash down their homes and driveways.

The mandatory water restrictions apply to all City of Concord and City of Kannapolis water customers. Failure to follow the mandatory water restrictions may result in civil citations or fees.

Residents and businesses with private wells and irrigation ponds that are not connected to the municipal water system are exempt. Residents and businesses with wells and irrigation ponds should contact their municipality to request a free well water irrigation sign to display on their property.

Customers are also encouraged to continue to take additional steps at home to help conserve water. These voluntary actions include:

• Check toilets and faucets for leaks and make necessary repairs.
• Take shorter showers and consider showers instead of baths or reduce the level of water used in a bathtub by 1-2 inches. 
• Turn off the water when brushing teeth, washing hands and face, and shaving.
• Only run full loads of laundry.
• Only run the dishwasher when it is full.
• When washing dishes by hand, do not continuously run water while rinsing.

The City of Concord and City of Kannapolis regularly monitor drought conditions and coordinate with regional partners, including the Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group (DMAG). The Catawba-Wateree DMAG also announced mandatory water restrictions (Low Inflow Protocol Stage 2) beginning May 15.  

The Low Inflow Protocol (LIP) is the regional drought management plan that water users in the Catawba River basin use to share responsibility and work together to conserve water. Because the City of Concord and the City of Kannapolis have an Inter Basin Transfer (IBT) agreement to draw water from the Catawba River basin, they are required to take similar, corresponding measures to reduce water use during droughts. Residents can track drought conditions on the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council’s website at https://www.ncdrought.org/.

In Kannapolis:

• The Atrium Health Ballpark Splash Pad will be closed until the mandatory restrictions are lifted.
• The Village Park Splash Pad will be open on weekends as it recycles and purifies the water it uses.
• The West Avenue and Veterans Park water jets will be shut off and other features will operate on a minimized level in order to prevent maintenance issues and because they operate using recycled water.

Customer contacts for more information on the restrictions and FAQs:

City of Concord, Customer Care

704-920-5555

ConcordNC.gov/DroughtResources

City of Kannapolis, Customer Care

704-920-4444

KannapolisNC.gov/Drought

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Media Contacts:

Lindsay Manson

City of Concord

704-920-5210

mansonl@concordnc.gov

Annette Privette Keller

City of Kannapolis

704-920-4311

aprivettekeller@kannapolis.gov