The City of Concord and the City of Kannapolis are updating mandatory water restrictions to further align with regional partners and provide customers with more options for watering their gardens.

Effective immediately, City of Concord and City of Kannapolis water system customers may use soaker hoses and drip irrigation to water gardens any day of the week without restriction. Additionally, customers may now use a garden hose to water gardens, so long as they are holding the hose and controlling the water themselves.

Previously, these methods for watering gardens were prohibited outside of the two designated irrigation days. Both the City of Concord and City of Kannapolis water emergency management ordinances permit the city manager to modify or add to the Level 2 water use restrictions. The cities are exercising this authority to update the restrictions to provide additional flexibility and clarity for customers. The updated mandatory restrictions now align more closely with regional partners, including Charlotte Water.

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:

• Use soaker hoses, drip irrigation, or hand water gardens without restriction. Hand watering includes using watering cans or garden hoses, so long as customers are holding the hose and controlling the water themselves.
• Top off swimming pools.
• Use commercial car washes.
• Use professional pressure washing companies to wash down their homes and driveways.

The City of Concord and City of Kannapolis continue to closely monitor drought conditions and coordinate with regional partners, including the Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group (DMAG). The Catawba-Wateree DMAG also implemented mandatory water restrictions (Low Inflow Protocol Stage 2) on 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/.

Customer contacts for more information:

City of Concord, Customer Care

704-920-5555

ConcordNC.gov/DroughtResources

City of Kannapolis, Customer Care

704-920-4444

KannapolisNC.gov/Drought