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Regional COG warns proposed Charlotte interbasin transfer threatens Kataba River communities
Summary
Anthony Star of the Western Piedmont Council of Governments told the Burke County commissioners that Charlotte Water's proposed expansion of interbasin transfers could send up to 63 million gallons per day out of the Kataba River basin, magnifying drought risk, degrading water quality and constraining future growth unless time-limited permissions and mitigation funding are required.
Anthony Star, executive director of the Western Piedmont Council of Governments, told Burke County commissioners that Charlotte Water's long-discussed plan to expand interbasin transfers (IBTs) from the Kataba River basin would have substantial environmental and economic effects on upstream communities.
"Charlotte currently has a certificate for 33 million gallons per day," Star said in a presentation to the board, adding that Charlotte has signaled possible growth toward 63 million gallons per day. He described the Kataba basin as relatively small, with storage equal to about 7% of annual rainfall, and said repeated drought episodes and increasing withdrawals have pushed the basin toward its safe yield.
Star outlined alternatives he said would avoid or reduce harm to the Kataba basin: withdraw from a different basin (the Yadkin) or return treated wastewater across the ridge line so the transferred water effectively returns to the Kataba watershed after treatment. He highlighted technical and policy tradeoffs and said those alternatives are more expensive but feasible, noting Charlotte Water's multibillion-dollar capital plans.
The presentation reviewed past IBT approvals, local reservoir and stream-flow data, and a legislative moratorium that the speaker said the General Assembly placed on large IBTs (15 MGD or more) until March 2027. Star urged local officials to engage the upcoming state collaboratory study, press for time-limited IBT approvals (a "shot clock" of 15'20 years in his example) and push for a drought-mitigation fund to help affected communities adapt.
Commissioners asked about existing transfers into the Kataba chain, the composition of the state Environmental Management Commission (which will review IBT petitions), and the prospect of litigation if the EMC approves a major transfer. Star said Charlotte had not advanced its request since passage of the moratorium and encouraged coordinated advocacy with state legislators and participation in the study process.
Why it matters: If the state permits a large IBT without stronger guard rails, local officials and utilities said they fear earlier depletion of water storage, increased pollutant concentration and higher treatment costs for Kataba communities. The county will continue to track the collaboratory's work and state-level reviews ahead of any EMC public hearings.
