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Drought

Water Conservation

How Are You And Your Neighbors Conserving Water?
We asked how you and your neighbors are conserving water and got responses that ranged from saving in the bath and laundry rooms to air conditioners and even dining out. See how you can save... because every drop counts.

Saving In Showers, Sinks And Even The Toilet
Reusing Laundry Water
Savings When Doing Dishes And Laundry
Saving Power
Repurposing Unused Drinking Water
Capturing Water From Dehumidifiers And Air Conditioners
Saving While Dining Out

Carolina Drought Crisis

Many homeowners are trying desperately to save a season of lost growth.

Others are able to collect their own water and make it last.

The amount of water streaming into the lakes makes a significant difference.

How Bad Is The Drought?
How Low Will It Go?
What Is Drought?
Every Drop Counts

Conditions In Your Hometown

Find out what drought conditions are like in your hometown. Full Story ››

Do Your Part

How You Can Conserve Water

In The Bathroom:

  • A bucket placed inside the shower collects "warm-up" water. This otherwise wasted water is great for container plants.
  • If all American households installed water-saving toilets, faucets and showerheads, water savings would equal about 5.4 billion gallons per day.
  • Turn off the water while brushing teeth or shaving.
  • Take shorter showers. If everyone in the United States shortened their shower by one minute every day, we could save 85 billion gallons per year.
  • Repair leaks--one drop per second wastes 2,400 gallons of water a year!

    • In Your Kitchen:

  • Scrape dirty dishes instead of using the dishwasher pre-rinse cycle.
  • Eliminate continuous running of water while washing dishes by hand
  • Run dishwashers and washing machines on full loads only, and late at night if possible.
  • Limit disposal use by composting garbage. You'll save large amounts of water and improve your garden soil.
  • Use disposable or biodegradable dishes

    • Around the house and yard:

  • Limit lawn and garden watering
  • Limit car washings
  • Wash only full loads of clothing, and do so during mid-morning hours or late at night.
  • Use a broom or blower on sidewalks and driveways instead of a hose.
  • Don't let the water run while washing your car. Use a nozzle or hose-end turn off valve.
  • Pool covers reduce evaporation. In arid climates, an average sized swimming pool loses about 1,000 gallons of water per month if left uncovered.
  • It's a sign of summer fun, but running through sprinklers or playing with hoses wastes gallons of water.

    • Information from American Nursery and Landscape Association, Lincoln County Department of Public Works and CMUD

    Recent Rain Totals

    Rain Totals Around The Charlotte Region

    Rain So Far This Month (Avg. February rain in Charlotte = 3.3")

    Albemarle:1.16"
    Boone:1.73"
    Casar:1.29”
    Charlotte:1.18"
    Concord:1.56"
    Grandfather: 1.79”
    Hickory:1.01"
    Jefferson: 1.11"
    Lenoir:2.70”
    Lincolnton:1.01”
    Monroe:0.82"
    Morganton: 1.04”
    Mt. Holly: 1.03”
    Rhodhiss:0.59”
    Salisbury:1.01”
    Statesville: 1.14”

    Chester, SC: 1.75”
    Chesterfield, SC: 0.79”
    Fort Mill, SC: 1.99”
    Rock Hill, SC:1.59”

    Drought status as of February 23

    Metro: Moderate

    Mountains: Severe

    Midlands: None

    Foothills: Moderate

    Email Us

    Email us tips on how you conserve water and your story could be on Channel 9. Full Story ››