Water Use Information

Library of Information about water use in the Catawba-Wateree River Basin.

Current and Projected Water Use from Catawba Lakes
Information prepared by Duke Energy regarding current and projected water use from the lakes along the Catawba-Wateree River.
Water Use Information for the United States
2009 water use information for the United States.
2001 Water Use Information
2001 water use information for the North Carolina portion of the Catawba basin.
Sources of Drinking Water in the Charlotte Region
Information compiled by the Metralina Council of Governments on the source of water for local governments in the Charlotte region.
2006 Water Supply Study by Duke Energy
Water supply study for the Catawba-Wateree basin done in connection with the relicensing of the dams on the Catawba-Wateree River.
Overview of Water Quantity Issues
North Carolina needs better water management!
EPA Water Tips
EPA Offers Tips to Save Water and Money
Charting New Waters: A Call to Action to Address U.S. Freshwater Challenges - Executive Summary
Issued by the participants of The Johnson Foundation Freshwater Summit. Citing a looming freshwater crisis that could affect the nation's economy, the livability of our communities and health of our ecosystems, a diverse coalition of businesses, farmers, environmental not-for-profits and government agencies issued a landmark call to action report aimed at heading off a national crisis in water quality and supply.
Charting New Waters: A Call to Action to Address U.S. Freshwater Challenges - Complete Report
Issued by the participants of The Johnson Foundation Freshwater Summit. Citing a looming freshwater crisis that could affect the nation's economy, the livability of our communities and health of our ecosystems, a diverse coalition of businesses, farmers, environmental not-for-profits and government agencies issued a landmark call to action report aimed at heading off a national crisis in water quality and supply.
Charting New Waters: A Call to Action to Address U.S. Freshwater Challenges - Commitments from Participants
Issued by the participants of The Johnson Foundation Freshwater Summit. Citing a looming freshwater crisis that could affect the nation's economy, the livability of our communities and health of our ecosystems, a diverse coalition of businesses, farmers, environmental not-for-profits and government agencies issued a landmark call to action report aimed at heading off a national crisis in water quality and supply.
Ten Things You Should Know About the Energy-Water Collision
Energy and water are woven into our daily lives and strongly linked to one another. Producing energy uses water, and providing freshwater uses energy. Both these processes face growing limits and problems. In most power plants, water cools the steam that spins the electricity-generating turbines. Because of these links between energy and water, problems for one can create problems for the other. In places where using energy requires a large share of available water, or where water resources are scarce or stressed by competing pressures (such as the needs of farmers or of local ecosystems or, increasingly in many parts of the United States, by climate change), the energy-water connection can turn into a collision—with dangerous implications for both.
New Rates Proposed for Charlotte Water Users
Heavy water users would get a break under the new rate structure proposed by Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities.
Water Use by Powerplants
Powerplants are the largest single user of water on the Catawba River, accounting for approximately 48% of water use in the basin. These large withdrawals of water, combined with the discharge of warm water, place heavy stresses on the River and it is projected that by 2040 there will not be enough water in the River to meet all of the water demands.
Document Actions
News
May 21, 2012 Mercury Contamination in the Catawba
North Carolina South Carolina have advise against consuming certain types of fish in the Catawba due to mercury contamination. Most of the mercury is coming from coal-fired powerplants.
May 21, 2012 Pharmaceuticals in the River
Small amounts of prescription and non-prescription medicines end up in our water. Help prevent pharmaceuticals from getting into the water or the wrong hands by disposing of medications properly. Catawba Riverkeeper is co-sponsoring Operation Medicine Drop events around the region.
May 07, 2012 2012 Mecklenburg State of the Environment Report
How’s the air out there? Is the water getting better? Are we recycling as much as we could be? According to an online Mecklenburg County survey, the verdict on all of the above, the answers are mixed, but encouraging.
May 04, 2012 Gaston County QNRC Cancels Coal Ash Forum
The Gaston County Quality of Natural Resources Commission (QNRC) cancelled a public forum and information session about the potential threats to drinking water from coal ash, which had been scheduled for May 3. The reasons for cancelling the forum are unclear.
Apr 26, 2012 Coal Ash Provision Added to Transportation Bill
Republicans in the House of Representatives added a rider to the Transportation Bill that would prevent EPA from protecting us from the dangers of coal ash. Please let your Congressional representative know that you want the EPA to be able to regulate coal ash waste.
More news…
Alliances

The Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation is a proud member of EarthShare North Carolina, River Network, the North Carolina Conservation Network, and the Waterkeeper Alliance.  EarthShare North Carolina makes it possible for employees to support the environment through workplace giving programs.  River Network’s mission is to empower and unite people and communities to protect and restore rivers and other waters that sustain the health of our country.  The NC Conservation Network supports, trains and coordinates diverse groups and directly advocates to achieve equitable and sustainable solutions for our environment.  The Waterkeeper Alliance is a worldwide network of advocates for protection of our water resources.  For more information about these organizations or to inquire about enrolling your employer in EarthShare NC, please contact CRF@catawbariverkeeper.org.

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Make a Donation

Your River needs you as much as you need the River

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Fish Advisories

fish consumption chart crop

Fish advisories have been issued throughout the Catawba-Wateree River basin for various types of fish.  Many of these fish advisories are the result of testing initiated by Catawba Riverkeeper and confirmed by state and local officials.  For a chart identifying fish types with the applicable adisories for the Charlotte area, click here.   For more information about the fish advisories, click here.

River maps and Recreational options

Maps

Recreation

Report Pollution in the Catawba River

Help protect your River! 

Tell your Riverkeeper if you see:

  • Sewage Overflows
  • Failure to control sediment from construction sites
  • Illegal clearing of buffer areas
  • Fish kills 
  • Invasive aquatic species
  • Exceeding Pollution Limits
  • Discharges exceeding allowable limits
  • Unpermitted discharges
  • Other issues that concern you

Click here to fill out a pollution report or to report a spill to Catawba Riverkeeper by phone, call 1-888-679-9494 or 704-679-9494.  In addition, to informing your Riverkeeper, you should also report spills or contamination to federal, state and local environmental officials.

To report South Carolina spills or fish kills call 1-888-481-0125.

To report North Carolins spills or fish kills, call 1-800-662-7956.

To report spills and releases to federal authorities (EPA and Coast Guard), call 1-800-424-8802.

 

 

How to contact your NC Legislator

Sometimes you just can't get the action that is needed to protect our water without contacting your legislator.  To find out who represents you in the North Carolina legislature and how to contact them, click here.

 
421 Minuet Ln Ste 205 . Charlotte, NC 28217-2784 . Phone: 704.679.9494 . Fax: 704.679.9559