City of Kannapolis

Questions?
If you have any questions about the status of the city's water supply, please call the Public Works Department at 704-920-4200 or the City Offices at 704-920-4300. Click here to see a chart of the water levels comparing 2001, 2002 and 2003.

Water Supply
Since March 2003, Kannapolis Lake has been at or near full pond. Rainfall most months has been at or above average levels. Secondary water sources, Lake Don T. Howell and Second Creek, have not been utilized in several months. The citywide water consumption rate remains about 5 million gallons a day. Here are some other drought and water supply facts:

2003 started with Kannapolis Lake 31 inches below full pond compared to 67 inches below full pond at the beginning of 2002. This is a 36 inch improvement.
Above average rainfall in Oct., Nov. and Dec. 2002 plus pumping from supplemental sources increased the lake level by 82 inches. Six months of below average rainfall preceded the three months of above average rainfall.
In 2002, the water treatment plant distributed 2,568,000 gallons of water, which is an average consumption rate of 5.85 mgd.
Water consumption declined by 9.9 percent in 2002 and 24.4 percent in 2001resulting in a 34.3 percent reduction over the last two years.
Rainfall in 2002 totaled 43.45 inches, which is a deficit of 5.59 inches for the year.
Second Creek in Rowan County is one of the City's supplemental sources of water. For most of the year up to 5.5 mgd is pumped to Kannapolis Lake. During the summer, the totaled pumped per day may drop to two to four mgd. In July and Aug. of 2002, the City could not pump any water due to an historically low stream flow.
The maximum amount that can be pumped from Lake Don T. Howell is 2 mgd. Pumping has continued throughout the drought.
Kannapolis Lake annually reaches its lowest levels between August and October. Through the winter enough precipitation is needed to recharge the lake for the dry spring and summer months.
The current drought is in its fifth year.
The longevity of the drought has impacted groundwater levels which lowers the base stream flow into Kannapolis
Lake and supplementary water sources.

Drought and Water Restriction Timeline

1997

Water levels in Kannapolis Lake and rainfall are at average to above average levels for the year.
Recognizing that dependence on surface waters for the City's water supply may not support anticipated growth, City Officials take the first steps to identify new water supply options. Without a major river adjacent to the city, leaders know that the process of securing additional water resources will be long and challenging.

1998

Before much progress is made to identify new water supply options, drought, now referred to as a 100-year drought, begins in mid-1998.

1999

As water levels in Kannapolis Lake fall, City officials work with representatives of the North Carolina Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR) to develop an ordinance outlining the city's policy on water restrictions.
Voluntary restrictions are instituted Sept. 3 and lifted Oct. 11.
Finkbeiner, Pettis and Strout, a civil engineering firm, is hired to begin water supply and water distribution and master plans that includes work to secure additional water supply alternatives.

2000

The worst year of the drought- water levels averaged 30 inches below normal, rainfall totals 34.67 inches, a 13.88-inch deficit for the year.
July 24 voluntary restrictions are implemented.
Sept. 11 mandatory restrictions begin limiting water use to weekends for watering lawns and plants and washing cars.
Water conservation education begins.

2001

Businesses and citizens reduce water consumption by 25 percent.
February 12 restrictions are tightened prohibiting car washing, except at a commercial facility, or watering of plants or lawns, except by hand held container.
April 24 restrictions are relaxed to allow water use for outdoor activities on Wed. and Sat. with a hand-held spring-loaded nozzle.
June 12 restrictions are relaxed to allow water use for outdoor activities on Wed. and Sat. from 7 am to 7 pm the following mornings.
March 26 a suspension of plan approvals and water line extensions is in effect creating a building moratorium.
Beginning in March, rainfall returns to normal levels in Kannapolis.
In August, City Council approves the issuance of $35 million in revenue bonds, $20 million of which are for water and sewer projects. The bonds fund a $14 million renovation of the water treatment plant to bring it into compliance with federal and state guidelines and increase the treatment capacity from 12 million gallons per day (MGD) to 15 MGD. The remaining funds are used for replacing aging lift stations, installing new water mains in the Coddle Creek annexation area and replacing water and sewer lines.
Also in August, City Council approved the negotiation of a contract with the City of Salisbury to obtain up to 3.1 mgd of treated water through a $2.4 million water main extension along Hwy. 29 to the northern city limits. One million dollars of the cost will go to complete infrastructure improvements in northern Kannapolis where the water from Salisbury will enter the city's system. The remaining cost is Kannapolis' share of a larger project involving Rowan County, China Grove and Landis. Up to 2 mgd might be available by summer 2002 without an interbasin transfer (IBT) permit from the state. The remaining 1.1 mgd will be available after an IBT is obtained.
Sept. 11, Kannapolis Lake is 27.5 inches above normal; rainfall totals 27.68 inches for the year (only a 5.98-inch deficit) and mandatory restrictions are reduced to voluntary.
The suspension of plan approvals and water line extensions continues while City staff complete a number of water related plans and policies including the water supply and water distribution master plans; a water allocation plan that will keep a running total of the water available for new development; a new water line extension policy; a backflow policy; and a wastewater collections master plan.
Due to National Drought Monitoring Council predictions of below average winter rainfall, mandatory restrictions were reinstated November 20 as a precautionary measure. Kannapolis Lake was at 70 inches below full pond, one inch below average for the time of year and 27 inches higher than 2000.

2002

At their January 28 meeting, City Council approved a contract between the City of Kannapolis, the City of Concord and an outside consultant to conduct the environmental assessments necessary to begin the process of applying to the State for an interbasin transfer. The environmental assessment will study the feasibility of pursuing such long-term options as a raw water intake on the Yadkin or Catawba Rivers.
February a Community Well and Water Extension Policy is approved by City Council.
April 26, the moratorium on plan reviews and water line extensions, first implemented March 26, 2001, is lifted when the lake level improves to four inches below full pond, .25 inches below average.
By July 3, Kannapolis Lake is 30 inches below full pond, 8.5 inches below normal and dropping. The prolonged effect of the drought has impacted the groundwater at Second Creek reducing the stream flow by 85 percent. For the first time in the City's history water cannot be pumped meaning that 5.5 mgd of water is not supplementing Kannapolis Lake.
July 27 City Council amended water restrictions to discontinue irrigation with automated systems or household sprinklers previously allowed on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7 pm to 7 am the following morning.
Mayor Ray Moss asks citizens to pray for rain.
In August, emergency water flows from Charlotte through Concord to Kannapolis and on to Landis. Kannapolis accepts 700,000 gallons a day, 300,000 of which goes to Landis.
On August 26, City Council discontinued warnings for water restriction violations and approved police officers, code enforcement officers and other city staff to issue immediate fines of $100 per residential water violation and $300 per business violation.
At the same meeting City Council, reinstated the moratorium on plan reviews and water line extensions and amended the water emergency management ordinance to prohibit car wash fundraisers, to eliminate tanker fill-ups and to limit automobile dealerships to washing cars only when they arrive on their lot and when they are sold.
Sept. 23 City Council adopted the water system master plan and a backflow prevention policy.
Two inches of rain during September allow pumping at Second Creek to increases to 2.2 mgd, half the usual amount of 5.5 mgd.
October 10, Kannapolis reaches an historic low- 113 inches below full pond.
Plans are underway to complete a new waterline and pump station along the Kannapolis Parkway in 2004 that will bring additional treated water from Charlotte through Concord.
October rainfall equaled 7.57 inches, 2.7 inches above normal. This is the first above average rainfall for the year. The rainfall deficit is still 9 inches for the year and 48 inches, equivalent to a year of rainfall, since the drought started.
The rain brings pumping at Second Creek back to full capacity at 5.5 mgd.
Due to almost 11 inches of rain in a month, mid-November Kannapolis Lake is 85 inches below full pond up from 97.25 inches below full on Nov. 1. This is still 14 inches below average.
Water consumption for customers of the Kannapolis water system drop to an all time low of 4.9 mgd from the previous low of 5.4 mgd.
Mandatory water restrictions and the moratorium on plan reviews and waterline extensions remain in place.

2003

On January 27 City Council voted to amend water restrictions to allow tanker truck fill ups, car wash fundraisers on Wed. and Sat., pool filling permits to be issued. They also lifted the moratorium on water lines and plan reviews in place since Aug. 2002.
February 24, 2003 City Council voted to allow daily use of water for outdoor activities with a hose with a hand-held spring-loaded nozzle. Irrigation with an automated sprinkler system or household sprinkler remains prohibited.
With Kannapolis Lake a half inch above full pond, water restrictions were amended to allow irrigation with an automated system or household sprinkler under an odd/even schedule. Homes with even house numbers could irrigate on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 pm to 6 am. Homes with odd numbers could irrigate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 pm to 6 am. No irrigation was allowed on Mondays.

Return to top

Water Supply Projects

Collaborative Work with the City of Concord
During the height of the five-drought that plagued the region from 1998 to 2003, Concord, Charlotte, Kannapolis and Landis with the help of State officials reached an agreement so that 700,000 gallons of supplemental emergency water was available to pass from Charlotte to Kannapolis through Concord. City officials also continue working with the City of Concord to pursue new raw and treated water options from the Yadkin and Catawba Rivers as well as future connections with the City of Charlotte. Both cities have contracted with an outside consultant to conduct the environmental assessments necessary to begin the process of applying to the State for interbasin transfers (IBT). Receipt of an IBT is expected in 2004.

Western Cabarrus Waterline
The western Cabarrus waterline that will extend up the new Kannapolis Parkway is under construction. When completed, the line could bring up to one mgd of treated water from Charlotte through Concord.

Salisbury Water Line
Cooperative efforts between the City of Kannapolis, Rowan County, the City of Salisbury, the Town of Landis and the Town of China Grove have resulted in a new waterline from Salisbury to the northern city limits. The waterline from Salisbury makes a minimum of 300,000 gallons of treated water a day available to Kannapolis. When Salisbury finishes upgrades to their system, up to 2 mgd will be available. After an interbasin transfer is obtained, a minimum of 400,000 gallons a day will be purchased with a maximum of 3.1 mgd.

Water Treatment Plant Renovation
The $14 million, two-year renovation of the water treatment plant on Pump Station Road was substantially complete in December 2003. Remaining construction should be complete in January 2004. The renovations will bring the plant into compliance with state and federal regulations while increasing the water treatment capacity from 12 mgd to 15 mgd. To pay for the renovation and numerous other water and wastewater system improvements, City Council budgeted for the issuance of $35 million in revenue bonds in fiscal year 2002.

Return to top

Available from the City of Kannapolis

Conservation Kits
The City of Kannapolis sells household water conservation kits for $7. The 10-piece water conservation kit includes a leak detecting kit, flow rate bag for toilets, a drip gauge, toilet displacement toilet tank bag, pressure enhanced showerhead, a kitchen faucet aerator, two bathroom faucet aerators, teflon tape and a toilet fill cycle diverter. The kits are available from the Water and Sewer Administration, 133 Floyd Street, or call 704-933-1133 for information.

Return to top

Water Conservation Tips
IN THE BATHROOM
*Fill a plastic bottle or bag with water or pebbles. Place it in your toilet tank. The water displaced per flush saves 5 to 10 gallons a day or up to 300 gallons a month.
*Replace your five-to-seven gallon per flush toilet with a one-and-a-half gallon, ultra-low flush model.
*Put dye tablets or food coloring into your toilet tank. If color appears in the bowl without flushing, a leak needs to be repaired. Saves 400 gallons a month.
*Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving. Saves three to six gallons a
day.

IN THE KITCHEN AND LAUNDRY
*Wash dishes by hand when possible. Use two sinks, one for washing and one for rinsing, to avoid running water continuously. For single sinks, use a spray device or short blasts of water to rinse. Saves 200 to 500 gallons a month.
*Use a small amount of detergent when hand washing dishes to minimize rinsing. Saves 50 to 150 gallons a month.
*Keep a bottle of chilled water in the refrigerator instead of running water to cool it for drinking. Saves 200 to 300 gallons a month.
*Take frozen foods out in time to defrost or use the microwave. These methods, instead
of hot water, can
save 50 to 150 gallons a month.
*Clean vegetables or fruits in a filled sink or a pan instead of under running water. Saves 150 to 250 gallons a month.
*Use garbage disposals less and the garbage cans or compost pile more. Saves 50 to 150
gallons a month.
*Turn on clothes and dishwashers when there are full loads.

OUTSIDE
*Use recycled household water from cleaning, dishes or fish tanks to water
*Catch rainwater in large basins for watering
*Put a layer of mulch, bark, peat moss or gravel around trees and plants to slow evaporation. Saves 750 to 1,500 gallons a month.
*Keep a cover over outdoor pools to lessen evaporation. Saves 1,000 gallons a month.
*Set lawn mower blades a notch higher to slow evaporation. Saves 500 to 1,500 gallons a
month.
*Instruct your children not to play with garden hoses. Saves 10 gallons a minute.
*Drain evaporative air conditioners to a flowerbed, tree base or lawn.
*Use only commercial car washes that recycle wash water.

Additional Tips from the American Water Works Association
Clean greasy hands with a waterless hand cleaner.
Insulate hot water pipes.
Deactivate automatic sprinkler systems
Landscape using low-water plants and rock gardens to reduce the amount of lawn

Return to top

Water Conservation Links
Education and resource sites
Environmental Protection Agency www.epa.gov
North Carolina State Government www.ncgov.com
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources www.ehnr.state.nc.us
The North Carolina Drought Monitoring Council www.dwr.ehnr.state.nc.us/drought/detail.htm
The Federal Energy Management Program http://www.eren.doe.gov/femp/techassist/waterconserve.html

The following links are not an endorsement of any product or company but a service to our communities. They list water conservation products for the home and garden:
http://www.conserving-water.com
http://www.greenculture.com
http://www.frostproof.com/catalog/ng06.html
(Soil Moist, a product that stores over 200 times its weight in tap water, is available through this site.)

Return to top