Local governments across the Charlotte region are receiving hundreds of complaints about residents violating mandatory drought restrictions as officials ramp up enforcement during one of the area’s worst droughts in years.
The restrictions started as the Charlotte region sank deeper into severe and extreme drought this spring after months of unusually dry weather. Utilities across the region moved into mandatory conservation measures this month under the Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group’s drought protocols, limiting nonessential outdoor water use as reservoir levels and stream flows declined. Though recent rainfall slightly improved drought conditions in parts of North Carolina, much of the Charlotte area remains in severe or extreme drought, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor map released Thursday.
Charlotte Water alone received 291 reports of suspected violations as of last Friday, according to data provided to The Charlotte Observer. The utility confirmed 65 violations tied to the city’s mandatory water conservation rules, and officials said no appeals have been filed so far…