05/02/2026
We are in this restriction !!!!
Multiple Catawba Valley Cities and Towns Implement Water Restrictions as Drought Worsens
HICKORY, N.C. — Several municipalities across the Catawba Valley have enacted water restrictions as the region remains gripped by extreme drought conditions. While the City of Hickory and some partner systems have moved to mandatory Stage 2 restrictions, others remain in voluntary conservation mode.
City of Hickory – Stage 2 Mandatory Restrictions (Effective Immediately)
The City of Hickory has officially entered Stage 2 of the Low Inflow Protocol (LIP). This is the third of five drought stages and shifts the area from voluntary to mandatory water use restrictions.
Goal: Reduce overall water use by 5–10%.
Mandatory Irrigation Schedule:
- Odd addresses: Tuesdays and Saturdays only
- Even addresses: Thursdays and Sundays only
- Unnumbered addresses: Tuesdays and Saturdays
Additional Mandatory Restrictions:
- No residential vehicle washing at any time
- Shift discretionary water use to early morning or late evening
- Stop operating ornamental fountains or water features unless they support aquatic life
- Do not fill residential swimming pools
- Do not top off swimming pools outside of assigned irrigation days
Prohibited Activities:
- Watering lawns or turf outside the allowed schedule
- Operating ornamental water features without aquatic life
- Filling or topping off residential swimming pools outside assigned days
Penalties for Violations:
- 1st violation: $100 surcharge (≤1.5” meter) or $200 (≥2” meter)
- 2nd violation: $200 surcharge (≤1.5” meter) or $400 (≥2” meter)
- 3rd violation: $300 surcharge (≤1.5” meter) or $600 (≥2” meter)
Customers with more than five violations risk loss of irrigation water service.
Affected Areas:
All customers billed by the City of Hickory, including the cities of Conover and Claremont, towns of Brookford, Catawba, Long View, and Maiden, portions of Alexander and Catawba counties, and Icard Township Water Corporation.
City of Claremont – Stage 2 Mandatory Restrictions
The City of Claremont has also entered Stage 2 mandatory water restrictions with a target reduction of 5–10%.
Irrigation Schedule:
- Odd addresses: Tuesdays and Saturdays
- Even addresses: Thursdays and Sundays
Prohibited:
- Vehicle washing
- Filling swimming pools
- Watering outside assigned days
- Running ornamental fountains (unless supporting aquatic life)
Enforcement:
Violations may result in fines and possible loss of irrigation service.
City of Morganton – Stage 2 Mandatory Conservation
The City of Morganton has entered Stage 2 mandatory water conservation. Customers are expected to reduce water use by 10% compared to the previous month’s bill.
Restrictions:
- Limit lawn and landscape watering to between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.
- Outdoor use of drinking water for washing impervious surfaces (driveways, sidewalks, etc.) is prohibited.
The city warns that if conditions continue, restrictions will become stricter as the region trends toward Stage 3.
Town of Taylorsville – Stage II Mandatory Conservation
The Town of Taylorsville has implemented Stage II Mandatory Conservation.
Key Restrictions:
- Irrigation limited to a quarter of an inch per day, two days a week, between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.
- Outdoor use of drinking water for washing impervious surfaces is prohibited.
- Residential vehicle washing restricted to one vehicle per week.
- No filling swimming pools. Topping off pools limited to six inches per week.
- All testing and training purposes requiring drinking water (e.g., fire protection) will be limited.
Penalties:
- 1st violation: Warning
- 2nd violation: $250 fine
- Each additional violation: $500 fine
City of Newton – Voluntary Water Use Reduction (Effective May 4)
The City of Newton has entered voluntary water use reduction (not yet mandatory).
Recommended Actions:
- Run irrigation systems no more than two days each week, only between 6–8 p.m.
- Hold off on washing cars at home.
- Skip nonessential pressure washing and cleaning of driveways and hard surfaces.
- Cut back on nonessential uses such as decorative fountains, lawn watering, and filling small backyard pools.
Mayor Jerry T. Hodge encouraged residents to conserve voluntarily, noting the community’s reliance on the Jacob Fork River and its reservoir.
All of these measures are tied to the Catawba-Wateree Low Inflow Protocol (LIP) managed by the Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group (CW DMAG). The group monitors reservoir levels, streamflows, and drought severity monthly.
If drought conditions persist, higher stages with stricter mandatory restrictions are likely. Residents are urged to check with their local water provider for specific guidance, as rules can vary slightly by municipality.
Conservation by everyone now helps prevent more severe restrictions later.
