Union County is implementing Stage 2 of its Water Shortage Response Plan due to severe drought conditions that have persisted for more than six months throughout our region and across the southeastern United States. In coordination with regional partners in the Catawba-Wateree Drought Management Advisory Group (CW-DMAG), County Manager Brian Matthews has directed staff to move from Stage 1 to Stage 2, effective today, Friday, May 15, 2026. 

“As drought conditions become increasingly severe throughout the Southeast and here in the Carolinas, we are joining with our regional partners in calling on all customers to conserve water,” Matthews said. “We’re asking everyone to think critically about how they can incorporate water conservation into their daily lives.” 

Union County implemented Stage 1 of its Water Shortage Response Plan on April 21, 2026. The last time Union County implemented Stage 2 conditions was in 2009. 

The County’s Water Shortage Response Plan calls for new restrictions on water use during Stage 2. Some restrictions are more applicable to residential customers, while others may be more applicable to industrial or non-residential customers: 

• All customers must limit spray irrigation to two days per week, in accordance with the guidance provided at unionconserves.com:  

• Even-numbered addresses may irrigate on Tuesdays and Saturdays only, before 8 a.m. and after 8 p.m. 

• Odd-numbered addresses may irrigate on Wednesdays and Sundays only, before 8 a.m. and after 8 p.m. 

• Because of the amount of water lost to evaporation in warmer temperatures, daytime irrigation is not allowed in Stage 2. However, hand watering by hose, watering can or drip irrigation is allowed at any time.  

• Personal car washing, such as washing a car in your driveway, is prohibited; commercial car washes (which typically reuse water) are not affected. 

• No filling of new pools or fountains, except to support aquatic life. 

• No public building, sidewalk, or street washing. 

• Construction uses of water (such as dust control) should be limited. 

• Flushing and hydrant testing programs should be limited, except as necessary to maintain water quality. 

• Water withdrawn from County hydrants must not be transported outside of Union County for any use other than emergency fire protection or bona fide farm use. Water may only be accessed from county hydrants through Union County Water’s Bulk Water Program. 

To incentivize water conservation during Stage 2, the Water Shortage Response Plan calls for enacting higher rates for all nonresidential, agricultural, and industrial customers, as well as residential customers with significantly high usage of more than 10,000 gallons per month, either through regular household usage or irrigation use. 

The new rates will be applied to customers’ usage starting Saturday, May 16. Customers can review the new rates and find resources for reducing their usage at unionconserves.com. Customers are encouraged to visit this page to view the current stage of water restrictions and find relevant information. 

Union County water restrictions apply only to customers served by Union County Water. Some residents receive water from private wells or municipal systems and should consult their provider for applicable restrictions. County regulations do not apply to private well water.  

Continued dry conditions could require the County to implement Stage 3 water restrictions, which were last implemented in 2008.