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Tuesday, November 10, 2026
Charlotte, NC|News
The Charlotte Mercury

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Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group

Regional drought advisory body

Inter-jurisdictional governance body coordinating drought response under the Low Inflow Protocol. Composed of Duke Energy, local governments, water utilities, and resource managers in the basin. Issues coordinated stage-change announcements (e.g. the May 1 2026 Stage 2 declaration).

Coverage (3 articles)

Charlotte Water Moves to Mandatory Restrictions at Stage 2

Jack Beckett·

Charlotte Water escalates to Stage 2 of the Low Inflow Protocol on Friday, May 15, the first mandatory water restrictions since 2009. The region has reached exceptional drought for the first time since 2008.

Charlotte Water Moves to Voluntary Restrictions at Stage 1

Jack Beckett·

Charlotte Water shifted to voluntary water restrictions on Monday, April 20, the first time since 2023, after the Catawba-Wateree River Basin moved to Stage 1 of its regional Low Inflow Protocol. A separate citywide burn ban with a $100 fine and $183 in court costs was imposed alongside it. Here is what the city is asking and what would push the basin further.

Other coverage in the Mercury Local network

Charlotte's 5-5 Data Center Tie: Why Firethorne Should Care

Strolling Firethorne·

Charlotte's data center moratorium hearing failed 5-5 with Mayor Lyles breaking the tie no. Firethorne is in Union County, but data centers are basin-scale and grid-scale. Three things to know about water, power, and zoning.

Voluntary Water Limits: What They Mean for Fourth Ward HOAs

Fourth Ward Charlotte·

Charlotte Water's voluntary restrictions and the citywide burn ban both took effect this week. In Fourth Ward, the practical effect runs through HOAs and condo boards as much as individual units, and the burn ban's 100-foot rule changes more than it might look like.

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