Gastonia enacts mandatory Stage 2 water restrictions amid severe Catawba-Wateree drought
City of Gastonia Water and Wastewater Treatment Division, North Carolina · Meeting date: May 19, 2026 · Published: May 26, 2026
The North Carolina municipality has activated mandatory water conservation measures for the first time since 2008, while also advancing a 7.5% increase in residential water and sewer rates.
Key points
- City Council approved amendments to the Emergency Water Conservation ordinance, triggering mandatory Stage 2 restrictions and non-compliance fines.
- The drought impacts the entire Catawba-Wateree Basin, requiring coordinated restrictions with regional utility partners.
- Council members confirmed a 7.5% increase in water and sewer rates, which will raise average residential bills by $6 per month.
- Stantec Consulting Services was awarded a $92,000 contract to conduct a Northwest Water Service Area Hydraulic Study.
Full report
Faced with severe drought conditions, the City of Gastonia, North Carolina, has enacted mandatory Stage 2 water conservation restrictions, a measure the city has not deployed since 2008.
During the May 19 City Council meeting, the City Manager confirmed that the restrictions are now mandatory and carry financial penalties for non-compliance. The drought is impacting the broader Catawba-Wateree Basin, prompting Gastonia to coordinate its response with regional water providers from Charlotte to Morganton.
"This is pretty dire," the City Manager stated during the meeting. "Everyone on the Catawba and the Wateree will be doing these same restrictions, if not more restrictive." The council formally adopted ordinance amendments to Chapter 14, Article VII, Emergency Water Conservation, via its consent agenda.
Alongside the drought response, the utility is adjusting its pricing. The Mayor Pro Tem confirmed a 7.5% increase in water and sewer rates, which will add approximately $6 per month to the average residential bill. Stormwater fees will not be increased.
The council also advanced several water and wastewater infrastructure contracts on the consent agenda. Stantec Consulting Services Inc. was awarded a $92,000 contract for a Northwest Water Service Area Hydraulic Study. Furthermore, the council approved a sole-source agreement with CES Water for wastewater submersible pump replacement parts and a $112,366 contract with Carolina Cat, Inc. to replace a generator radiator at the Long Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant.
This summary was generated by AI based on the source document and may contain errors.
Source: City Council - May 19, 2026, City of Gastonia Water and Wastewater Treatment Division