Charlotte Water operates wastewater treatment plants discharging to the Catawba basin and provides limited reclaimed water for industrial users. Residential graywater reuse follows NC Plumbing Code; there is no city retrofit mandate.
Charlotte Water's Mallard Creek and McAlpine Creek wastewater facilities meet North Carolina's Type 2 reclaimed water standards for select non-potable industrial customers, primarily through limited delivery agreements. Citywide purple-pipe reclaimed distribution does not exist. Residential graywater systems — laundry-to-landscape and similar — are governed by the NC State Plumbing Code and require permits from Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement. Rainwater harvesting for outdoor use is allowed without permit if disconnected from potable plumbing. There is no Charlotte mandate to install reclaimed or graywater systems.
Cross-connecting reclaimed or graywater to potable plumbing is a serious code violation requiring immediate disconnection plus permit-driven correction.
Charlotte, NC
Charlotte Water customers should report water main breaks and visible leaks immediately by phone or online. Eligible customers may apply for a one-time bill ...
Charlotte, NC
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services enforces post-construction stormwater management under Charlotte Code Chapter 18 (Stormwater). All new development...
See how Charlotte's recycled water rules rules stack up against other locations.
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