Water Use Rules in North Carolina (2026)
16 rules on the books across North Carolina, 13 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Recycled Water Rules
Where purple-pipe recycled water is required for irrigation, dual-plumbing requirements for new construction, and cross-connection-control rules.
Cary
Some RestrictionsThe Town of Cary, North Carolina requires property owners to switch irrigation systems from potable town water to…
Read full rule →Johnston County
Some RestrictionsJohnston County runs a separate reclaimed water system under Chapter 24, Article IV of its Code of Ordinances. Property…
Read full rule →Raleigh
Some RestrictionsAny Raleigh property that connects to the city's reuse (reclaimed) water system must first obtain a reuse water…
Read full rule →Brunswick County
Light RestrictionsBrunswick County allows property owners to connect to its reclaimed water distribution system for irrigation once a…
Read full rule →Leak Reporting Duty
Property owner's duty to report and repair water leaks within a set window once notified, plus how utilities issue leak-adjustment credits and impose penalties.
Kill Devil Hills
Significant RestrictionsIn the Town of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, a property owner does not get a warning letter about a plumbing leak…
Read full rule →Cary
Some RestrictionsCary treats an unrepaired plumbing leak as prohibited water waste, requiring the customer to fix it once notified by…
Read full rule →Charlotte
Some RestrictionsOnce Charlotte declares a water shortage, customers must fix any leak in their own plumbing within a reasonable time…
Read full rule →Durham
Some RestrictionsDurham's water-waste ordinance requires customers to fix any leak, break or malfunction in their plumbing or…
Read full rule →Fayetteville
Some RestrictionsFayetteville puts the repair duty for water leaks squarely on the property owner once city plumbing crosses the meter…
Read full rule →Harnett County
Some RestrictionsHarnett Regional Water (HRW) will adjust a customer's water bill once every 12 months when the customer furnishes proof…
Read full rule →High Point
Some RestrictionsIn High Point, unrepaired water leaks found during a city inspection get the water supply shut off immediately, and…
Read full rule →Johnston County
Some RestrictionsJohnston County classifies an unrepaired water leak as 'waste of water' under County Code § 24-72, and County Code §…
Read full rule →Moore County
Some RestrictionsMoore County Public Works (MCDPW) credits water bills for leaks beyond a customer's control, but only if the customer…
Read full rule →Shelby
Some RestrictionsShelby property owners must maintain and repair the water line running from the meter to their building, not just the…
Read full rule →Brunswick County
Light RestrictionsBrunswick County Public Utilities customers who repair a water leak can get a one-time billing credit each year by…
Read full rule →Cumberland County
Light RestrictionsCumberland County Public Utilities will adjust a water bill inflated by a hidden leak, but only once every 12 months…
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