Concord and Regional Partners Move to Level 1 Voluntary Water Conservation

Concord, Harrisburg, Kannapolis, and Landis implement voluntary water conservation

The City of Concord, the Town of Harrisburg, the City of Kannapolis, and the Town of Landis have moved to Level 1 voluntary water conservation effective November 3, 2026. This shift follows a decision by the Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group (DMAG) to announce the Low Inflow Protocol (LIP) Level 1 on November 2, 2026, as reported by kannapolisnc.gov.

While regional drought conditions have shown signs of improvement, local water supplies have not yet returned to normal levels. The move to voluntary restrictions comes after 24 weeks of active conservation efforts by residents, which officials say helped ease the immediate pressure on the region’s water resources.

The regional connection to the Catawba River basin

The conservation measures are not merely local preferences but are tied to specific regional management agreements. Because the City of Concord and the City of Kannapolis operate under an Inter Basin Transfer (IBT) agreement to draw water from the Catawba River basin, they are required to implement corresponding measures to reduce water use during drought periods. This regulatory requirement extends to all municipalities served by their systems, including Harrisburg and Landis.

The Low Inflow Protocol serves as the primary drought management plan for water users throughout the Catawba River basin. By operating under this protocol, regional partners aim to share the responsibility of conservation to ensure the long-term stability of the water supply. Although the easing of strict restrictions is a positive sign, officials emphasize that the water supply remains in a sensitive state.

Practical steps for residential water reduction

Local authorities are encouraging residents to maintain their conservation habits to support the continued return to normal conditions. Small adjustments in daily routines are intended to aggregate into a significant cumulative impact on the regional supply.

Concord and Regional Partners Move to Level 1 Voluntary Water Conservation

To assist in this effort, the municipalities have identified several specific areas where customers can voluntarily reduce consumption:

Outdoor Maintenance: Watering lawns and plants should only occur during the early morning or evening hours. Residents are also encouraged to check irrigation systems to ensure they are optimized for correct usage and to use commercial car washes that recycle water rather than washing vehicles at home.
Indoor Plumbing: Checking for and repairing dripping faucets, running toilets, and other plumbing leaks is critical.
Daily Habits: Taking shorter showers—or reducing bathtub water levels by 1–2 inches if a shower is unavailable—can help. Additionally, turning off the water while brushing teeth, washing faces, or shaving can prevent unnecessary waste.
Appliance Efficiency: Only running full loads of laundry or dishwashers ensures that every cycle maximizes water utility. When washing dishes by hand, residents should avoid letting the faucet run continuously during rinsing or while cleaning and cutting vegetables.

For those seeking more specific guidance or technical assistance, the following municipal contact points are available:

Municipality	Contact Department	Phone Number
City of Concord	Customer Care	704-920-5555
City of Kannapolis	Customer Care	704-920-4444
Town of Harrisburg	General Inquiries	704-455-5614
Town of Landis	General Inquiries	704-857-2411

Drought conditions continue to be monitored closely by regional partners and the Catawba-Wateree DMAG to determine if further protocols will be necessary as the season progresses.

The transition to Level 1 voluntary conservation follows a 24-week period of sustained community-wide water conservation efforts.