About Us

​About Charlotte Water

​Charlotte Water is the largest public water and wastewater utility in the Carolinas, serving more than a million​ customers in the City of Charlotte and greater Mecklenburg County -- including the towns of Matthews, Mint Hill, Pineville, Huntersville, Davidson, and Cornelius.​​ ​​​

Facts and Figures effective July 1, 2022

  • In Operation Since 1889

  • Service Area: Mecklenburg County

  • Estimated Population Served: 1,122,276

  • Authorized Positions: 1,050

  • AAA Bond Rating with Fitch, Moody’s and Standard & Poor's

  • Operating Budget (includes debt service, PAYGO transfer): $535,043,606

  • Water Community Investment Plan (includes PAYGO transfers): $117,365,184

  • Wastewater Community Investment Plan (includes PAYGO transfers): $294,609,812

  • 27 gallons of water costs $1

  • FY22 Average Daily Pumped: 117.54 MG

  • FY22 Highest Daily Pumped: 157.66 MG (06/13/2022)

  • FY22 Lowest Daily Pumped: 89.80 MG (12/25/2021)

  • All-Time Highest Pumped 169.2 (8/20/07)

  • Water treatment plants

    • Franklin: 132 capacity; 94.32 average

    • Vest: 24 capacity; 13.39 average (only online March – June)

    • Dukes: 18 capacity; 18.74 average

    • Total water treatment capacity: 174

*numbers in million gallons per day (MGD)

  • Raw water intakes: 2

  • Reservoir storage: 2 - 500 MG capacity

  • Average wastewater treated daily: 79.8 million gallons

  • Total FY22 wastewater treated: 29.1 billion gallons

  • Wastewater Treatment Plants

    • ​Sugar Creek 20 MGD capacity; 14.3 MGD average
    • Irwin Creek 15 MGD capacity; 11.4 MGD average
    • McAlpine Creek 64 MGD capacity; 39.4 MGD average
    • Mallard Creek 12 MGD capacity; 9.5 MGD average
    • McDowell Creek 12 MGD capacity; 5.2 MGD average
    • Ashe Plantation & Oxford Glen .0175 capacity; 0.0366 MGD average

    • Total plant capacity: 123.175 MGD

  • Food Service Establishments Grease Traps Inspected: 3,926

  • Industries Regulated for Wastewater Discharges: 54

  • Active total water service connections: 310,541

  • Active wastewater service connections: 281,983

  • Active residential water service connections (includes multi-family): 274,450

  • Active commercial water service connections (includes industrial, nonprofit, institution, government, health): 14,751 

  • Active irrigation meters: 16,718

  • ​Total overflows in FY21: 161(FY21: 152)

  • SSO by grease: 34

  • SSO by debris in line: 33

  • SSO by roots: 36

  • SSO by pipe failure: 23

  • SSO by severe natural condition: 0

  • Average spill response time: 30 minutes

  • Spills per 100 miles of pipe: 3.57

  • ​Water pipes rehabilitated or replaced: 23,276 LF or 4.4 miles

  • Water leaks repaired: 3,205

  • ​Wastewater pipes rehabilitated or replaced: 96,000 LF (18.2 miles)

  • Wastewater pipes cleaned (includes contractors):  711 miles

  • Wastewater pipes treated with root control chemicals: 321 miles

  • Manholes replaced or repaired: 698

  • ​Water mains maintained: 4,525 miles

  • Hydrants maintained: 18,128

  • Treated water storage & booster pumping stations: 17

  • Wastewater mains maintained: 4,526 miles

  • Wastewater lift stations: 74

  • Notices of drinking water quality violations: 0

  • Notices of collection system violations: 3

  • Notices of wastewater treatment plant violations: 1

  • Partially treated discharges events: 0

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