Low Inflow Protocol
Coverage (4 articles)
Mandatory Water Restrictions Begin Friday in Charlotte. The Five-Stage Protocol Behind Them.
Day-of guide to Charlotte's first mandatory Stage 2 restrictions since 2009: the rules, the five-stage Low Inflow Protocol behind them, the burn ban that arrived with them, and what's enforceable Friday.
Charlotte Water Escalates to Mandatory Restrictions as Drought Reaches Stage 2
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.
A 2.5-Million-Square-Foot Data Center Is Going Up off University City Boulevard.
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 2.5-million-square-foot, 300-megawatt data center campus is going up at 10800 University City Boulevard — and under Charlotte's current zoning, the council had no role in approving it.
Charlotte Water Moves to Voluntary Restrictions as the Catawba-Wateree Basin Hits Stage 1
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
Six Things to Know from a Heavy Week in 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.
Six Things to Know from a Heavy Week in 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.
Six Things to Know from a Heavy Week in 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 Water Moves to Mandatory Restrictions Friday. Firethorne's Watering Window Is Now Two Days a Week.
Charlotte Water moves to mandatory restrictions Friday, May 15, under Stage 2 of the Low Inflow Protocol. Firethorne's irrigation window drops to two days a week, overnight only.
The Drought Escalated. Ballantyne's Watering Schedule Just Got Mandatory.
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.
Mandatory Water Restrictions Start Friday. What Fourth Ward Residents Need to Know.
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 Just Tied 5-5 on Data Center Rules. Why Firethorne Should Pay Attention.
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 Just Tied 5-5 on Data Center Rules. Three Things South Charlotte Should Know.
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.