Waxhaw Water Restrictions 2026
Union County · North Carolina
Published:
Restrictions Active - Union County Water Stage 2 Mandatory - In Effect Since May 15, 2026
3
Days/Week
Spray irrigation: 3 days per week by address parity (no Mondays)
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 & Thursday & Saturday |
| Odd addresses | Wednesday & Friday & Sunday |
| All addresses | No spray irrigation on Mondays |
Allowed Watering Hours
Waxhaw is served by Union County Water, which declared Stage 2 of its Water Shortage Response Plan effective May 15, 2026, the county's first Stage 2 since 2009. Residential spray irrigation is limited to 3 days per week: even addresses Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday, odd addresses Wednesday/Friday/Sunday, with no spray irrigation on Mondays. Drip irrigation and hand watering remain permitted any day. Higher Stage 2 rates took effect May 16, 2026.
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 3-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 3-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, North Carolina, south of Charlotte. It is served by Union County Water, which declared Stage 2 of its Water Shortage Response Plan effective May 15, 2026, the first Stage 2 since 2009. County Manager Brian Matthews directed the escalation from Stage 1 voluntary conservation (in place since April 21).
The trigger is 6-plus months of severe drought across the southeastern United States. The NC Drought Management Advisory Council classifies the area in D2 to D3 drought. Union County's Stage 2 is coordinated with the regional CW-DMAG (Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group); the broader Catawba-Wateree basin entered its own Stage 2 LIP on May 1, 2026.
Stage 2 limits residential spray irrigation to 3 days per week (even addresses Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday, odd addresses Wednesday/Friday/Sunday, no Mondays). Drip and hand watering remain unrestricted by day. Higher Stage 2 rates took effect May 16, 2026.
Waxhaw's rapid suburban growth has pushed outdoor water demand to high levels just as Union County entered Stage 2. The town's historic downtown and weekend farmers market anchor a community whose population has grown sharply over the past two decades. Union County Water is a separate utility from Charlotte Water; the two coordinate through CW-DMAG but set their own stages.
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 3 days per week. Even addresses Tue/Thu/Sat, odd addresses Wed/Fri/Sun, never Mondays.
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 75-100 mm and leave clippings to shade soil and slow evaporation.
Skip nitrogen fertiliser through summer; it forces growth the 3-day schedule cannot support.
Waxhaw is on Union County Water Stage 2, not Charlotte Water; follow the Union County 3-day even/odd schedule.
Programme your controller to your assigned days and skip Mondays entirely.
Monitor unionconserves.com for current Stage 2 rates and any escalation.
Waxhaw Water Restriction FAQs
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