Highlands

The Division of Water Resources (DWR) provides the data contained within this Local Water Supply Plan (LWSP) as a courtesy and service to our customers. DWR staff does not field verify data. Neither DWR, nor any other party involved in the preparation of this LWSP attests that the data is completely free of errors and omissions. Furthermore, data users are cautioned that LWSPs labeled PROVISIONAL have yet to be reviewed by DWR staff. Subsequent review may result in significant revision. Questions regarding the accuracy or limitations of usage of this data should be directed to the water system and/or DWR.

1. System Information

Contact Information

Complete

Water System Name: Highlands   PWSID: 01-57-015
Mailing Address:P.O. Box 460
Highlands, NC 28741		Ownership:Municipality
 
Contact Person:Josh WardTitle:Town Manager
Phone:828-526-5266Cell/Mobile:--
 
Secondary Contact:Lamar Nix Phone:828-526-2118
Mailing Address:P.O. Box 460
Highlands, NC 28741		Cell/Mobile:--
Distribution System
Line Type Size Range (Inches) Estimated % of lines
Cast Iron 4-10 5.00 %
Ductile Iron 4-12 50.00 %
Galvanized Iron 2 5.00 %
Polyvinyl Chloride 2-8 40.00 %
What are the estimated total miles of distribution system lines?   68 Miles
How many feet of distribution lines were replaced during 2025?   0 Feet
How many feet of new water mains were added during 2025?   0 Feet
How many meters were replaced in 2025?   436
How old are the oldest meters in this system?   14 Year(s)
How many meters for outdoor water use, such as irrigation, are not billed for sewer services?   9
What is this system's finished water storage capacity?   2.6030 Million Gallons
Has water pressure been inadequate in any part of the system since last update? Line breaks that were repaired quickly should not be included.   No
Programs
Does this system have a program to work or flush hydrants?   Yes, Annually
Does this system have a valve exercise program?   Yes, Annually
Does this system have a cross-connection program?   Yes
Does this system have a program to replace meters?   Yes
Does this system have a plumbing retrofit program?   No
Does this system have an active water conservation public education program?   No
Does this system have a leak detection program?   Yes
Water Conservation
What type of rate structure is used?   Flat/Fixed
How much reclaimed water does this system use?   0.0000 MGD   For how many connections?   0
Does this system have an interconnection with another system capable of providing water in an emergency?   No

2. Water Use Information

Service Area
Sub-Basin(s)% of Service Population
Little Tennessee River (07-1)98 %
Savannah River (08-1)2 %
County(s)% of Service Population
Macon98 %
Jackson2 %
What was the year-round population served in 2025?   1,072
What was the seasonal population and months served in 2025? (if applicable)   20,000 ( May Jun Jul Aug Sep )
Has this system acquired another system since last report?   No
Water Use by Type
Type of Use Metered
Connections		 Metered
Average Use (MGD)		 Non-Metered
Connections		 Non-Metered
Estimated Use (MGD)
Residential 2,336 0.1882 272 0.2190
Commercial 271 0.0993 130 0.0477
Industrial 0 0.0000 0 0.0000
Institutional 0 0.0000 0 0.0000

How much water was used for system processes (backwash, line cleaning, flushing, etc.)?   0.2900 MGD

3. Water Supply Sources

Monthly Withdrawals & Purchases
Average Daily
Use (MGD)		 Max Day
Use (MGD)		 Average Daily
Use (MGD)		 Max Day
Use (MGD)		 Average Daily
Use (MGD)		 Max Day
Use (MGD)
Jan 0.9090 1.1480 May 0.8940 1.1110 Sep 0.8610 0.9480
Feb 0.8110 1.0010 Jun 1.1070 1.3120 Oct 0.8760 1.0200
Mar 0.7610 1.0080 Jul 0.9790 1.1490 Nov 0.8820 1.0600
Apr 0.8690 0.9980 Aug 0.9170 1.0250 Dec 0.8620 1.0210

Surface Water Sources
Stream Reservoir Average Daily Withdrawal Maximum Day
Withdrawal (MGD)		 Available Raw
Water Supply		 Usable On-Stream
Raw Water Supply
Storage (MG)
MGD Days Used MGD * Qualifier
Big Creek N/A 0.4470 365 1.3120 2.0000 T 2.0000
Cullasaja Lake Sequoyah 0.4470 365 1.3120 2.6000 SY20 38.0000

* Qualifier: C=Contract Amount, SY20=20-year Safe Yield, SY50=50-year Safe Yield, F=20% of 7Q10 or other instream flow requirement, CUA=Capacity Use Area Permit

Surface Water Sources (continued)
Stream Reservoir Drainage Area
(sq mi)		 Metered? Sub-Basin County Year
Offline		 Use
Type
Big Creek N/A 6 Yes Little Tennessee River (07-1) Macon Regular
Cullasaja Lake Sequoyah 9 Yes Little Tennessee River (07-1) Macon Regular
What is this system's off-stream raw water supply storage capacity?   1 Million gallons
Are surface water sources monitored?   Yes, Daily
Are you required to maintain minimum flows downstream of its intake or dam?   No
Does this system anticipate transferring surface water between river basins?   No
Water Treatment Plants
Plant Name Permitted Capacity
(MGD)		 Is Raw Water Metered? Is Finished Water Ouput Metered? Source
Highlands WTP 2.0000 Yes Yes Big Creek
Did average daily water production exceed 80% of approved plant capacity for five consecutive days during 2025?  No
     If yes, was any water conservation implemented?  No
Did average daily water production exceed 90% of approved plant capacity for five consecutive days during 2025?  No
     If yes, was any water conservation implemented?  No
Are peak day demands expected to exceed the water treatment plant capacity in the next 10 years?  No

4. Wastewater Information

Monthly Discharges
Average Daily
Discharge (MGD)		 Average Daily
Discharge (MGD)		 Average Daily
Discharge (MGD)
Jan 0.3760 May 0.4920 Sep 0.4540
Feb 0.4130 Jun 0.5290 Oct 0.4840
Mar 0.3610 Jul 0.5690 Nov 0.4020
Apr 0.4190 Aug 0.5760 Dec 0.3970

How many sewer connections does this system have?   1,366
How many water service connections with septic systems does this system have?   1,643
Are there plans to build or expand wastewater treatment facilities in the next 10 years?   No
Wastewater Permits
Permit Number Type Permitted Capacity
(MGD)		 Design Capacity
(MGD)		 Average Annual
Daily Discharge
(MGD)		 Maximum Day Discharge
(MGD)		 Receiving Stream Receiving Basin
NC0021407 WWTP 1.5000 1.5000 0.4560 0.9140 Cullasaja River Little Tennessee River (07-1)
NC0032778 WTP 0.0400 0.0400 0.0800 0.2870 Big Creek Little Tennessee River (07-1)

The 0.0800 MGD on permit #NC0032778 is from the water plant and is not included in the monthly averages for the wastewater plant numbers.

5. Planning

Projections
  2025 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070
Year-Round Population 1,072 1,077 1,082 1,087 1,092 1,097
Seasonal Population 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000
 
Residential 0.4072 0.2122 0.2143 0.2164 0.2185 0.2207
Commercial 0.1470 0.1484 0.1499 0.1514 0.1529 0.1559
Industrial 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
Institutional 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
System Process 0.2900 0.2200 0.2200 0.2200 0.2200 0.2200
Unaccounted-for 0.0498 0.0345 0.0350 0.0350 0.0350 0.0350
Demand v/s Percent of Supply
  2025 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070
Surface Water Supply 4.6000 4.6000 4.6000 4.6000 4.6000 4.6000
Ground Water Supply 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
Purchases 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
Future Supplies 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
Total Available Supply (MGD) 4.6000 4.6000 4.6000 4.6000 4.6000 4.6000
Service Area Demand 0.8940 0.6151 0.6192 0.6228 0.6264 0.6316
Sales 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
Future Sales 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
Total Demand (MGD) 0.8940 0.6151 0.6192 0.6228 0.6264 0.6316
Demand as Percent of Supply 19% 13% 13% 14% 14% 14%

The purpose of the above chart is to show a general indication of how the long-term per capita water demand changes over time. The per capita water demand may actually be different than indicated due to seasonal populations and the accuracy of data submitted. Water systems that have calculated long-term per capita water demand based on a methodology that produces different results may submit their information in the notes field.

Your long-term water demand is 380 gallons per capita per day. What demand management practices do you plan to implement to reduce the per capita water demand (i.e. conduct regular water audits, implement a plumbing retrofit program, employ practices such as rainwater harvesting or reclaimed water)? If these practices are covered elsewhere in your plan, indicate where the practices are discussed here.    No Changes

Are there other demand management practices you will implement to reduce your future supply needs?   

What supplies other than the ones listed in future supplies are being considered to meet your future supply needs?   

How does the water system intend to implement the demand management and supply planning components above?   

Additional Information

Has this system participated in regional water supply or water use planning?  No

What major water supply reports or studies were used for planning?  

Please describe any other needs or issues regarding your water supply sources, any water system deficiencies or needed improvements (storage, treatment, etc.) or your ability to meet present and future water needs. Include both quantity and quality considerations, as well as financial, technical, managerial, permitting, and compliance issues:   

The Division of Water Resources (DWR) provides the data contained within this Local Water Supply Plan (LWSP) as a courtesy and service to our customers. DWR staff does not field verify data. Neither DWR, nor any other party involved in the preparation of this LWSP attests that the data is completely free of errors and omissions. Furthermore, data users are cautioned that LWSPs labeled PROVISIONAL have yet to be reviewed by DWR staff. Subsequent review may result in significant revision. Questions regarding the accuracy or limitations of usage of this data should be directed to the water system and/or DWR.