The Catawba-Wateree River Basin recovered to Stage 0 of the Low Inflow Protocol on January 16, 2024 which is a drought watch stage and the Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group (CW-DMAG) will continue to closely monitor conditions.
Basin Recovery and Voluntary Water Conservation Request
(Lincolnton) Lincoln County, like many other jurisdictions in the North Carolina-Piedmont, has experienced several beneficial rainfall events over the past month. As the Catawba-Wateree River Basin improves from the recent drought, the basin has recovered from Drought Stage 1 to Drought Stage 0.
The Catawba-Wateree River Basin recovered to Stage 0 of the Low Inflow Protocol on January 16, 2024 which is a drought watch stage and the Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group (CW-DMAG) will continue to closely monitor conditions. After observing improving trends, it has been decided to recover from Stage 1 conditions to Stage 0. It is hoped that if everyone continues to make an effort to reduce water consumption at this time, the Catawba-Wateree River Basin can return to normal storage levels.
Lincoln County follows the CW-DMAG protocol for a Stage 0 declaration for water conservation. A Stage 0 Water Shortage, as defined in the Lincoln County Water Conservation Ordinance, indicates the need to reduce consumption to avoid any possible future voluntary or mandatory restrictions. More severe water use restrictions may be avoided by reducing demand on the water supply reservoirs before the drought conditions worsen. Please review the Schedule of Fees and Charges for Water and Sewer Services (effective July 01, 2023) for any rate changes under future voluntary and mandatory restrictions that may affect your water and sewer monthly bill. Rates can be found at www.lincolncountync.gov
We encourage our water customers to observe the following voluntary water conservation guidelines as outlined in the Ordinance:
(a) limit car washing – use a hose-end nozzle to avoid wasting water;
(b) limit lawn, garden, and shrubbery watering to the minimum necessary for plants to survive and reuse household water when possible – a healthy lawn needs no more than 1 inch of water per week – water lawns and shrubbery after 10:00 PM or before 6:00 AM to reduce water losses due to evaporation;
(c) eliminate washing down of outside areas such as sidewalks, patios, parking lots, service bays or aprons;
(d) eliminate continuous running of water while shaving or rinsing dishes;
(e) limit the use of washing machines and dishwashers and operate only when fully loaded;
(f) use showers instead of bathtubs for bathing and limit showers to no more than four minutes' duration;
(g) limit flushing of toilets by multiple usage, when possible;
(h) limit hours of operation of water‑cooled air conditioners, when possible;
(i) use biodegradable and/or disposable dishes to save on dishwashing;
(j) use flow restriction and other water‑saving devices where possible;
(k) delay new landscape work until the water shortage has ended.
Drought indicators and demand on our water system will continue to be monitored by the County, and the public will be notified of any changes in the water shortage conditions. Please call Lincoln County Public Utilities at 704-736-8495 if you have questions.