News Summary
The North Carolina General Assembly has implemented a moratorium on interbasin water transfers, impacting the Catawba River. House Bill 850, which received nearly unanimous support, halts approvals for large transfers, addressing community concerns about environmental and economic effects. The law aims to conduct further studies on the impacts of these transfers and seek a balanced approach towards water management in the state.
Morganton, North Carolina – The North Carolina General Assembly has enacted a moratorium on interbasin water transfers, directly impacting the Catawba River amid rising community concerns. On June 26, both the North Carolina House and Senate passed House Bill 850, which puts a hold on approvals for large interbasin transfers, including a significant request from Charlotte Water. The bill received overwhelming support, passing the House with a vote of 105 to 1 and achieving unanimous approval from the state Senate. Governor Josh Stein signed the bill into law on Wednesday, establishing a moratorium until March 2027.
This new legislation responds to growing worry among area residents about the environmental and economic consequences of transferring water from the Catawba River basin. During public meetings held throughout July in Morganton and Hickory, community members expressed their doubts and concerns regarding Charlotte Water’s request to transfer up to 30 million gallons of water per day to the Yadkin-Pee Dee River basin.
House Bill 850 was sponsored by a coalition of legislators from the region, including Catawba County Republicans Jay Adams and Mitchell Setzer, along with Burke County Republican Hugh Blackwell and Blair Eddins, a representative for Alexander and Wilkes counties. The legislative action reflects an understanding that further studies are necessary to analyze the implications of these transfers.
The North Carolina Collaboratory at the University of North Carolina has been designated to evaluate legislation governing interbasin transfer requests. Their study will assess economic impacts on communities affected by these transfers, increased water pollution risks, and potential adjustments to the transfer request process in light of recent climate trends.
Large interbasin transfers are defined as those exceeding 15 million gallons of water per day. Charlotte Water, which currently operates with an interbasin transfer certificate, is allowed to transfer up to 33 million gallons per day to the Yadkin-Pee Dee basin. However, the utility is seeking to expand its operations, driven by anticipated growth in eastern Mecklenburg County, although it lacks the infrastructure to return all extracted water back to the Catawba River basin.
Charlotte Water’s daily consumption exceeds 100 million gallons, primarily sourced from Mountain Island Lake and Lake Norman, both of which are fed by the Catawba River. While the majority of treated water is discharged back into the Catawba River, some is diverted to the Yadkin-Pee Dee basin. This situation has drawn criticism from local municipalities and community organizations, prompting resolutions against the interbasin transfer in cities like Hickory and Catawba County.
Residents have voiced concerns that the transfer could inhibit growth along the Catawba River and exacerbate existing challenges posed by drought conditions. The Western Piedmont Council of Governments has requested over $400,000 in funding to oppose the anticipated interbasin transfer.
An advocacy group named “Protect Our Water Protect Our Future” is promoting legislation to limit interbasin transfer requests, suggesting a prohibition on any transfers exceeding 30 million gallons per day and proposing that permissions be temporary. Anthony Starr, Executive Director of the Western Piedmont Council of Governments, emphasized the critical need for the General Assembly and the UNC Collaboratory to devise a balanced approach to address the community’s needs while mitigating potential negative impacts on other river basin towns.
As the Catawba River continues to be a vital resource for numerous communities in North Carolina, the implications of this legislation and the ongoing studies promise to play a significant role in shaping water management policy in the state.
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Additional Resources
- Morganton News Source
- Wikipedia: Catawba River
- Duke Energy News Release
- Google Search: North Carolina water management
- WSOC-TV Mooresville News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: North Carolina
- WBTV Morganton Road Closure
- Google News: Hurricane Helene recovery efforts
- WHKY Morganton Parks Update
- Google Scholar: Interbasin water transfer North Carolina
Author: HERE Charlotte
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