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Tuesday, November 10, 2026
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The Charlotte Mercury

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Low Inflow Protocol

Five-stage regional drought-response policy operated jointly by Duke Energy and the Catawba-Wateree Water Management Group. Stages: 0 (watch) → 1 (voluntary conservation) → 2 (mandatory restrictions) → 3 → 4 (emergency). Stage determined by three indicators: reservoir storage, inflow rate, U.S. Drought Monitor classification. Duke evaluates monthly.

Coverage (4 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.

Lyles Breaks 5-5 Tie Against Data Center Pause Hearing

Jack Beckett·

The Charlotte City Council deadlocked 5-5 Monday night on whether to even schedule a public hearing on a temporary moratorium for new data center approvals. Mayor Vi Lyles broke the tie, voting no. Meanwhile a data center campus approved for up to 2.5 million square feet is going up at 10800 University City Boulevard.

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 Water Limits, Data Center Moratorium, Budget, CMS

Strolling Firethorne·

Six takeaways from a heavy week at city hall: Stage 2 water restrictions, a unanimous data-center moratorium, a $4.5 billion budget hearing, the NC state-budget framework, the CMS budget reversal, and the MPTA's July 1 deadline.

Charlotte Week in Review: Water, Data Centers, Budget, CMS

Fourth Ward Charlotte·

Six takeaways from a heavy week at city hall: Stage 2 water restrictions, a unanimous data-center moratorium, a $4.5 billion budget hearing, the NC state-budget framework, the CMS budget reversal, and the MPTA's July 1 deadline.

Charlotte Week in Review: Water, Data Centers, Budget, CMS

Strolling Ballantyne·

Six takeaways from a heavy week at city hall: Stage 2 water restrictions, a unanimous data-center moratorium, a $4.5 billion budget hearing, the NC state-budget framework, the CMS budget reversal, and the MPTA's July 1 deadline.

Drought Escalates: Ballantyne's Watering Rules Go Mandatory

Strolling Ballantyne·

Charlotte Water's voluntary drought restrictions are being replaced with mandatory rules on Friday, May 15. Ballantyne's irrigation schedule is now two days per week, overnight only, and fines start at $100.

Stage 2 Water Restrictions Start Friday: A Fourth Ward Guide

Fourth Ward Charlotte·

Charlotte Water's mandatory Stage 2 restrictions take effect Friday, May 15. For Fourth Ward, the biggest direct impacts hit power washing, decorative water features, and the neighborhood's irrigation schedule.

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.

Charlotte Council Ties 5-5 on Data Center Moratorium Hearing

Strolling Ballantyne·

Charlotte City Council deadlocked 5-5 Monday night on whether to schedule a public hearing on a temporary data center moratorium. Mayor Vi Lyles broke the tie, voting no. Three things south Charlotte should know about by-right zoning, the basin-wide drought, and District 3's position.

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