CATAWBA COUNTY — Because of ongoing extremely dry conditions across the region, the Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group has declared that the Catawba-Wateree River Basin has entered Stage 2 of the Low Inflow Protocol, Catawba County said May 1, 2026.
In accordance with the City of Hickory’s Water Shortage Response Plan, Hickory has also officially entered Stage 2, triggering mandatory water-use restrictions for all customers. The county told residents who live in an unincorporated area to be aware of and follow all mandatory water conservation measures.
Each month during drought periods, CW-DMAG evaluates lake levels, streamflows, groundwater, and other conditions. Drought stages in the Low Inflow Protocol are determined by three indicators: how much water is in the reservoirs, how much water is flowing into the reservoirs, and the U.S. Drought Monitor. As of May 1, those indicators met the threshold for a Stage 2 declaration, the county said.
Stage 2 is the third of five drought stages and marks a shift from voluntary conservation to mandatory restrictions. The county said the stage does not indicate an emergency but does require coordinated action. The goal of Stage 2 is to reduce overall water use by 5-10% to preserve reservoir storage, sustain downstream flow needs, and ensure drinking water availability across the basin until conditions improve.
Mandatory irrigation days listed in the notice:
- Odd addresses: Tuesdays and Saturdays
- Even addresses: Thursdays and Sundays
- Unnumbered addresses: Tuesdays and Saturdays
Additional requirements include no residential vehicle washing; reducing overall water use and shifting discretionary use to early morning or late evening; stopping ornamental fountains or water features that do not support animal life; not filling residential swimming pools; and not topping off swimming pools outside assigned irrigation days.
Prohibited activities during Stage 2 include watering lawns or turf outside the allowed schedule, operating ornamental water features without aquatic life, filling residential swimming pools, and topping off pools outside assigned days.
Violations may result in surcharges on a utility bill and potential loss of service, the county listed:
- First violation: $100 (≤1.5” meter) or $200 (≥2” meter)
- Second violation: $200 (≤1.5” meter) or $400 (≥2” meter)
- Third violation: $300 (≤1.5” meter) or $600 (≥2” meter)
Customers with more than five violations risk loss of irrigation water service.
Areas affected, the county said, are all water consumers served by the City of Hickory, including customers billed directly by the City of Hickory; the cities of Conover and Claremont; the towns of Brookford, Catawba, Long View, and Maiden; portions of Alexander and Catawba counties; and Icard Township Water Corporation.
If drought conditions continue, additional Low Inflow Protocol stages with more stringent restrictions may be activated. The county said it will provide updates as conditions evolve.
The Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group, formed in 2006, brings together public water suppliers, industrial users, state and federal agencies, and Duke Energy. The county pointed residents to www.hickorync.gov/drought and www.catawbawatereewmg.org. Customers not served by the City of Hickory water system should contact their local water provider, the notice said.
Official release from Catawba County Government, May 1, 2026. https://www.catawbacountync.gov/news/mandatory-water-conservation-measures-in-effect-for-catawba-county-residents/
