Waxhaw 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
Waxhaw 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
Waxhaw is a fast-growing town in southern Union County, south of Charlotte, and buys its water from Union County Public Works. Its rules are Union County Water's own Stage 2 Water Shortage Response (effective May 15, 2026), shown in the schedule above; the Catawba-Wateree Low Inflow Protocol at Stage 2 is the basin trigger behind it. Union County's Stage 2 is stricter and on different hours than neighboring Charlotte Water, and it also raised conservation rates. Verified against unioncountywater.org.
This deficit has accumulated over the current water year and represents a significant departure from historical averages for the Waxhaw area. Water supply reservoirs and aquifer levels are well below seasonal targets, necessitating mandatory conservation measures.
How to Keep Your Lawn Alive During Waxhaw Water Restrictions
10 tips tailored for Waxhaw 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 ornamental and vegetable beds to drip.
Tall Fescue (dominant Waxhaw 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 and ideal for gardens.
Mow at 3 to 4 inches and leave clippings to shade soil and slow evaporation.
Skip nitrogen fertilizer through summer; it forces growth the two-day schedule cannot support.
Waxhaw is on Union County Water Stage 2, not Charlotte Water; follow the Union County two-day even/odd schedule.
Set your controller to your two assigned days and overnight hours only.
Monitor unionconserves.com for current Stage 2 rates and any escalation.
Waxhaw Water Restriction FAQs
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