Water quality, storm water management and sustainability of transferring more water from the Catawba River were some of the concerns raised during a workshop on Monday addressing Charlotte鈥檚 request to remove 30 million gallons of water a day from the Catawba River.
It was the first workshop of the Charlotte Water IBT Advisory Group, whose task is to come up with an environmental impact statement (EIS) for Charlotte鈥檚 request.
The EIS is the next step in the request process, according to Charlotte Water. During the summer, Charlotte Water held community meetings in areas along the river to get input on the plan.
In addition to Charlotte Water representatives, there were officials from environmental groups, including Catawba Riverkeeper Brandon Jones, other local governments and Duke Energy at the workshop Monday in Charlotte. The meeting also was streamed on Zoom.
Local governments along the river were represented at the workshop.
Anthony Starr, executive director of Western Piedmont Council of Governments, which represents 30 local governments including Burke, McDowell and Catawba counties, was at the workshop and said his organization is involved in environmental-related activities, planning water resources and economic development.
Dennis Cyphers, executive director for the Santee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments in South Carolina, told the group that his organization is interested in maintaining the quality of life in his area and the responsible use of the resources the Catawba River provides, not for just the current population, but for future populations.
He said his organization is interested in making sure the water is safe and plentiful.
Some of the issues brought up during the workshop included:
- Whether there has been efficient use of water by Charlotte Water. The utility organization has a 19% water loss, representatives said during the meeting.
- A need for Charlotte to control its growth.
- Implementing water conservation measures.
- Whether the water conservation plan for the Catawba River Basin is strict enough.
Charlotte is currently allowed to remove 33 million gallons of water a day from the Catawba River basin and put the water in a different river basin once used and treated. The cities of Concord and Kannapolis are allowed to remove 10 million gallons a day from the Catawba River due to a 2007 transfer agreement.
Local officials have previously said the Catawba Wateree Water Management Group master plan for Charlotte Water and the Catawba River Basin shows that the current allowed transfer amount should be enough for Charlotte through 2065.
The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality monitor and approve water transfers, according to information from Charlotte Water.
The process for the transfer request could take two to four years, according to representatives with Charlotte Water.
Submit any questions or comments to IBTProject@charlottenc.gov.