UPDATE: Effective Jan. 22, 2024, Union County is in Stage 0 of water use restrictions. Please see this page for the latest information. 

Over the past few months, Union County's drought classification has worsened from abnormally dry to moderate drought, per the U.S. Drought Monitor. Union County Water sources water from both the Catawba-Wateree and the Yadkin-Pee Dee river basins; both of these river basins are experiencing moderate drought conditions. Union County Water also monitors its water supply in cooperation with regional partners, including the Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group (CW-DMAG), which announced on Nov. 1 that weather conditions have placed the Catawba-Wateree River Basin in Stage 1 of the group’s Low Inflow Protocol. 

Due to our region’s current drought classifications, Union County Manager Brian Matthews has directed staff to follow the protocol of Union County’s Water Shortage Response Plan. This means Union County’s current stage of water restrictions will shift from Stage 0 to Stage 1 effective Wednesday, Nov. 8. This designation will remain in effect as county staff and regional partners continue to monitor drought conditions. 

"In collaboration with our fellow communities and utilities in the Catawba-Wateree Basin, we are following the steps outlined in our Water Shortage Response Plan to enact Stage 1 Water Use Restrictions for all of our water customers," said Brian Matthews, Union County Manager. "While restrictions at this stage are fairly minor, we hope everyone will do their part to conserve water during this time of moderate drought for our region." 

Union County practices water conservation year-round, regardless of drought status, so the restrictions on water usage for residential customers is the same for both Stage 0 and Stage 1. Customers must limit their use of irrigation systems to three days per week, following the schedule provided at UnionConserves.com. Union County Water encourages all customers to be mindful of their water usage and to prepare for greater restrictions that may go into effect if drought conditions persist.  

Stage 1 of water restrictions includes one additional requirement for commercial customers: industrial customers must not transport water taken from hydrants within the county to outside of the county for any use other than emergency fire protection and bona fide farm uses. 

Customers are also encouraged to follow these voluntary water conservation measures: 

• Use flow-restrictive, water-saving devices. 
• Do not leave faucets running while shaving, brushing teeth or washing dishes. 
• Take showers, not baths - unless medically necessary. The average bath uses 35 to 50 gallons of water, while a 10-minute shower with a low-flow showerhead only uses 25 gallons. 
• Only run your washer or dishwasher when you have a full load. 
• Repair all leaks in faucets, toilets, and other equipment in a timely manner. 
• Reuse household water to water plants.  

As drought conditions are subject to change, please visit UnionConserves.com for the latest information on water supply status and correlating restrictions on water usage.  

NOTE: Union County's water restrictions apply to all customers of Union County Water; some county residents receive water service from wells or municipal water systems. Please check with your water utility to determine if any water usage restrictions are in effect. The county's water usage restrictions do not apply to well water.