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County staff say Charlotte Water’s request to transfer 33 million gallons a day raises regional concerns
Summary
Burke County staff briefed commissioners on a regional process responding to Charlotte Water’s formal request to increase interbasin transfers by 33 million gallons per day; the Western Piedmont COG has formed a committee and an environmental review is expected in spring 2026.
County analyst Hugh Sandode told Burke County commissioners that Charlotte Water has filed a formal notice seeking permission to increase its interbasin transfer to 33,000,000 gallons per day from the Catawba River Basin to the Yadkin‑Pee Dee Basin, a request county staff and regional partners say would roughly double Charlotte’s current allowance and approach the combined withdrawal of neighboring communities.
Sandode, standing in for Anthony Starr, said the request, if granted, would secure a guaranteed increase above Charlotte’s current withdrawal limits and that the volume requested is nearly the equivalent of what nearby communities (Morganton, Lenoir, Catawba County, Hickory and Valdese) currently draw in aggregate — he cited roughly 40,000,000 gallons per day among those systems. He said the proposal could “hamper future growth and development and sustainment of the water system” for communities in the Catawba Basin.
The Western Piedmont Council of Governments has formed a multi‑jurisdictional committee — with representatives from Catawba County, Caldwell County and municipal governments — to advise and coordinate a regional response. Sandode said the COG committee has engaged with Charlotte’s community meetings and will continue consultations.
Sandode said Charlotte is expected to issue an environmental impact report in spring 2026; that report will go to the state for review and any approval, modification or denial. Anthony Starr will return to give a fuller presentation at the board’s regular meeting, Sandode said.
The county did not take a formal position at the pre‑agenda session; staff said they will continue COG work and public engagement ahead of the environmental review.
