The Charlotte area remains under Stage 2 drought conditions, and mandatory water restrictions continue to apply to Ballantyne residents even after recent rainfall.

Charlotte Water said Wednesday, Sept. 9, that rain has not overcome the prolonged streamflow deficits that have built up since last fall. The utility and other water providers drawing from the Catawba River Basin are holding at Stage 2, the mandatory-restriction level that took effect May 15.

The agency uses three triggers to decide when drought conditions change: lake levels, the six-month average streamflow and the three-month average U.S. Drought Monitor rating. As of Sept. 9, the six-month streamflow trigger still shows drought, Queen City News reported. Charlotte Water called streamflow an important indicator of the watershed's long-term health, noting that isolated rain events bring only short-term relief.

"We're a lot better than we were, but we're certainly not completely out of the woods," Jimmy Bagley, chair of the Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group, told Queen City News in August.

The basin supplies drinking water to more than two million people across 24 counties in North and South Carolina, according to WBTV. Statewide maps show record-dry conditions dating to September 2025, based on records going back to 1895.

Gov. Josh Stein urged continued conservation in a July 28 press release, as WUNC reported. North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Reid Wilson said in the same July 28 release that the state needs to make up for months of extremely dry conditions, even after stretches of wet weather.

What the restrictions mean for Ballantyne

Under the mandatory rules posted by Charlotte Water, lawn and landscape irrigation is limited to two days per week, between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Odd-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Even-numbered addresses may water on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Residents may not wash vehicles at home, fill swimming pools, run decorative water features or power wash for non-essential purposes. Pools may be topped off only on Thursdays and Sundays, between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Drip irrigation, soaker hoses and hand-watering remain allowed, as do commercial car washes.

Fines for violations start at $100. The goal is to cut overall water use by 5% to 10%.

Charlotte Water said customers are meeting the reduction targets. The agency will continue monitoring conditions and will notify customers when the status changes.

Mecklenburg County also imposed a burn ban across its parks starting May 4, which remains in effect.

Small businesses and nonprofits in Mecklenburg County that suffered drought-related economic losses may apply for U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans of up to $2 million. Interest rates start as low as 4% for businesses and 3.625% for nonprofits. The application deadline is Dec. 10.

Charlotte Water has not announced a timeline for lifting Stage 2 restrictions.