Indian Trail Water Restrictions 2026
Union County · North Carolina
Published: May 18, 2026Updated:
Restrictions Active - Union County Water Stage 2 Mandatory - In Effect Since May 15, 2026
2
Days/Week
Spray irrigation: 12:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. only, on your two assigned days
Allowed Hours
Stage 2 surcharge rates plus enforcement under the Union County Water Shortage Response Plan
Max Fine
Find Your Watering Day
Enter the last digit of your street address:
View full address schedule table
| Address Ending | Watering Day |
|---|---|
| Even addresses | Tuesday & Saturday |
| Odd addresses | Wednesday & Sunday |
Allowed Watering Hours
Indian Trail is served by Union County Public Works (Union County Water), which is at Stage 2 of its Water Shortage Response Plan, effective May 15, 2026. Spray irrigation systems are limited to two days a week and only between 12:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. or 8:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m.: even-numbered addresses on Tuesday and Saturday, odd-numbered addresses on Wednesday and Sunday. Drip irrigation and hand watering with a shut-off nozzle are permitted any day. Also prohibited under Stage 2: washing a personal vehicle except at a commercial car wash, and filling new pools or fountains (Essential Water Use exceptions apply); moving county water out of the county by tanker from a hydrant is barred except for emergency fire protection or bona fide farm use. Higher Stage 2 conservation rates are in effect. This is the utility's own schedule; the Catawba-Wateree basin is at Low Inflow Protocol Stage 2, but the days and hours come from Union County Water.
Still Allowed
💧 Hand Watering
Allowed with shut-off nozzle. Hours: Hand watering with a shut-off nozzle and drip irrigation are permitted any day of the week. Only spray irrigation systems are limited to the two-day schedule..
🌿 Drip Irrigation
Exempt from day-of-week limits. Must follow allowed hours.
Fines & Enforcement
Stage 2 surcharge rates plus enforcement under the Union County Water Shortage Response Plan
Stage 2 enacts higher water rates effective May 16, 2026 for nonresidential, agricultural, and industrial customers and for residential customers exceeding 10,000 gallons per month. Off-schedule spray irrigation is enforced under the Union County Water Shortage Response Plan. Verify current surcharge amounts at unionconserves.com.
Citations begin May 15, 2026 (Stage 2 rates effective May 16, 2026)🏠 HOA Rules During Restrictions
North Carolina HOA law (NCGS §47F-3-121 plus G.S. 143-355.2) prohibits HOAs from fining residents for dormant or brown lawns during active mandatory drought restrictions. Union County Water Stage 2 supersedes HOA covenants requiring lawn watering outside the assigned two-day schedule.
If your homeowners association sends a violation notice for a dormant or brown lawn during the current restriction period, respond in writing citing the applicable law and include a copy of the Union County Water's current restriction order. Most HOAs will rescind the notice once they are made aware of the legal protections in place. If the issue persists, contact your county’s code enforcement division for assistance.
Why These Restrictions Exist
Indian Trail is the most populous town in Union County and a Union County Public Works customer. The days and hours above come from Union County Water's Stage 2 plan, not from the basin protocol: the Catawba-Wateree Low Inflow Protocol sets a basin Stage 2, and Union County responds with its own tighter schedule and higher Stage 2 rates. Source: unioncountywater.org.
This deficit has accumulated over the current water year and represents a significant departure from historical averages for the Indian Trail area. Water supply reservoirs and aquifer levels are well below seasonal targets, necessitating mandatory conservation measures.
How to Keep Your Lawn Alive During Indian Trail Water Restrictions
10 tips tailored for Indian Trail homeowners during Union County Water Stage 2 Mandatory - In Effect Since May 15, 2026 restrictions.
Union County Water Stage 2 (since May 15, 2026): spray irrigation two days per week, only 12 a.m. to 8 a.m. or 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. Even addresses Tuesday and Saturday, odd addresses Wednesday and Sunday.
Drip irrigation and hand watering are permitted any day; convert beds to drip.
Tall Fescue (dominant Indian Trail lawn grass) tolerates 4-6 weeks of summer dormancy. Allow browning rather than over-watering.
Watch monthly usage: Stage 2 higher rates apply to residential customers above 10,000 gallons per month.
Install a rain barrel: captured rainwater is unrestricted.
Mow at 3 to 4 inches and leave clippings to shade soil.
Skip nitrogen fertilizer through summer.
Indian Trail is on Union County Water Stage 2, not Charlotte Water; the schedules differ. Follow the Union County two-day even/odd schedule.
Set your controller to your assigned days and skip Mondays.
Monitor unionconserves.com for current rates and any escalation.
Indian Trail Water Restriction FAQs
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