Two Rivers Utilities/Gastonia

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

Provisional

Water System Name: Two Rivers Utilities/Gastonia   PWSID: 01-36-010
Mailing Address:P.O. Box 1748
Gastonia, NC 28053		Ownership:Municipality
 
Contact Person:Kyle ButlerTitle:Utilities Engineer
Phone:704-866-6768Cell/Mobile:704-214-9078
Distribution System
Line Type Size Range (Inches) Estimated % of lines
Asbestos Cement 2-36 14.48 %
Cast Iron 2-30 18.10 %
Ductile Iron 2-54 24.76 %
Galvanized Iron 2-14 5.89 %
Other All 0.34 %
Polyvinyl Chloride 2-24 36.43 %
What are the estimated total miles of distribution system lines?   696 Miles
How many feet of distribution lines were replaced during 2025?   0 Feet
How many feet of new water mains were added during 2025?   53,437 Feet
How many meters were replaced in 2025?   900
How old are the oldest meters in this system?   22 Year(s)
How many meters for outdoor water use, such as irrigation, are not billed for sewer services?   2,732
What is this system's finished water storage capacity?   13.7500 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

We reported 714 estimated total miles of water lines in the 2024 LWSP update. Based on updates to GIS for multiple projects such as the recent completion of a 1 to 1 GIS based Water Model, Lead Service line investigations, and the AMI water meter project, we are updating the estimated mileage to reflect the current state of our GIS information. We have also removed 12.65 miles of abandoned water lines our estimated total. We believe the abandoned lines may have been included in previous LWSP updates. The estimated percentages have also been updated to better reflect information logged in our GIS. Approximately 229 miles of the 696 miles of water are of unknown material. This mileage has been proportioned to each of the Line Types based on their weighted percentage against the total mileage of known pipe material.

The number of feet of new water lines added during 2025 is based off fixed asset & final acceptance reports that are generated when new waterlines are accepted by the City for maintenance (most often as a result of private development projects). The mileage listed represents final acceptance reports issued in 2025.

The 900 meters replaced in 2025 is the estimated number of meters replaced by City of Gastonia staff. We anticipate improved reporting with the new work order management system that the City will deploy in 2026. In addition, the contractor for the City's AMI conversion project will be replacing all non-AMI capable water meters over the next 3 years. Beta phase meter replacement will begin in summer 2026 with full deployment starting later in the year.

Programs
Does this system have a program to work or flush hydrants?   Yes, As Needed
Does this system have a valve exercise program?   Yes, 2 Years or More
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?   Yes
Does this system have a leak detection program?   Yes

The City of Gastonia typically utilizes a valve exercise program to maintain valves throughout the year. In the valve exercise program was temporarily suspended due to fluctuations in staffing and maintenance to the valve exercise equipment and vehicles. The program will resume in 2026.

Water Treatment Plant staff flow hydrants as needed for water quality.

The fire department performs static pressure tests on hydrants throughout the year and reports any operational issues to our Utilities Maintenance Division for repairs.

We are currently working on a project to implement an AMI system. As a part of the project all existing water meters are to be replaced with AMI capable water meters.

Water Conservation
What type of rate structure is used?   Flat/Fixed, Increasing Block
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?   Yes

2. Water Use Information

Service Area
Sub-Basin(s)% of Service Population
South Fork Catawba River (03-2)67 %
Catawba River (03-1)33 %
County(s)% of Service Population
Gaston100 %
What was the year-round population served in 2025?   96,716
Has this system acquired another system since last report?   No

The year-round population is based on the most recent OSBM Municipal Certified Population estimates for Gastonia (85,636) and Cramerton (5,819) plus 2.51 persons per each of the 2,096 outside residential water accounts (5,261).

Water Use by Type
Type of Use Metered
Connections		 Metered
Average Use (MGD)		 Non-Metered
Connections		 Non-Metered
Estimated Use (MGD)
Residential 32,886 4.5543 3 0.0001
Commercial 3,025 2.1606 23 0.0939
Industrial 124 0.6278 0 0.0000
Institutional 203 0.6069 0 0.0000

How much water was used for system processes (backwash, line cleaning, flushing, etc.)?   6.1937 MGD

Non-metered connections are for permitted hydrant usage for filling pools or water for construction sites that are billed through miscellaneous invoice. The Residential Non-metered connections consisted of (3) pool connections over (3) total days. The MGD represents the volume (43,000 gal.) over (365) days not (3) days to report in terms of MGD.

System Process Water includes 4.8869 MGD water to Rankin Lake for water quality. Some of the raw water pumped from Mountain Island Lake into Rankin Lake which is our raw water reservoir is used to maintain water levels and water quality. There is no other water supply to Rankin Lake. The remainder of the raw water is sent to the WTP for treatment.

Regarding the high amount of unaccounted-for water (16% of total supply) we are in the middle of converting our system to AMI. We will also be restarting our valve operation program that was interrupted due to vehicle repairs and staffing shortages.

Water Sales
Purchaser PWSID Average
Daily Sold
(MGD)		 Days
Used		 Contract Required to
comply with water
use restrictions?		 Pipe Size(s)
(Inches)		 Use
Type
MGD Expiration Recurring
Belmont 01-36-015 0.0000 0 2020 Yes Yes 12 Emergency
Bessemer City 01-36-025 0.0806 63 1.7000 2028 No Yes 12 Emergency
Clover, SC 46-10-006 0.6980 365 1.0167 2045 Yes Yes 16 Regular
Dallas/Spencer Mt Village 01-36-065 0.0301 365 1.0000 2028 Yes Yes 12 Regular
Lowell 01-36-060 0.3718 365 0.6180 2029 Yes Yes 12,6 Regular
McAdenville 01-36-045 0.1753 365 1.0000 2030 Yes Yes 16 Regular
Ranlo 01-36-034 0.3416 365 0.6000 2040 Yes Yes 8 Regular

A new interconnect with Lowell will be constructed in 2026 for regular sales from Gastonia to Lowell. The interconnect will be a 8" connection from Gastonia to Lowell on Graves Street. It will be possible to reverse metered flow from Lowell to Gastonia.

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 18.0000 18.0000 May 19.1380 27.6000 Sep 20.5080 27.6000
Feb 18.0000 18.0000 Jun 19.0370 27.6000 Oct 18.6390 27.6000
Mar 18.5820 27.6000 Jul 20.7610 27.6000 Nov 18.0250 18.7500
Apr 17.9250 18.0000 Aug 21.0810 27.6000 Dec 17.9400 18.0000

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
Catawba River Mountain Island Lake 18.9784 365 27.6000 75.0000 C 8,601.0000
South Fork Catawba River 0.0000 0 0.0000 15.5000 F 0.0000

* 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
Catawba River Mountain Island Lake 1,819 Yes Catawba River (03-1) Gaston Regular
South Fork Catawba River 560 No South Fork Catawba River (03-2) Gaston Emergency
What is this system's off-stream raw water supply storage capacity?   180 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?   Yes

Existing sub-basin transfer between South Fork Catawba and Catawba River will continue

Water Purchases From Other Systems
Seller PWSID Average
Daily Purchased
(MGD)		 Days
Used		 Contract Required to
comply with water
use restrictions?		 Pipe Size(s)
(Inches)		 Use
Type
MGD Expiration Recurring
Belmont 01-36-015 0.0000 0 0.0000 2020 Yes Yes 12 Emergency
Bessemer City 01-36-025 0.0000 0 0.0000 2028 Yes Yes 12 Emergency
Dallas 01-36-065 0.0000 0 0.0000 Yes 12,10 Emergency

No purchases in 2025

Water Treatment Plants
Plant Name Permitted Capacity
(MGD)		 Is Raw Water Metered? Is Finished Water Ouput Metered? Source
Gastonia WTP 27.3000 Yes Yes Mountain Island Lk (Primary) SF Catawba Riv (Sec.)
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?  
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?  
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 9.6200 May 10.8400 Sep 9.3400
Feb 12.6600 Jun 10.7700 Oct 8.7600
Mar 9.5700 Jul 8.7300 Nov 8.5300
Apr 9.5000 Aug 12.3600 Dec 8.4100

How many sewer connections does this system have?   33,369
How many water service connections with septic systems does this system have?   2,876
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
NC0006033 WWTP 4.0000 4.0000 0.5724 1.7900 South Fork Catawba River South Fork Catawba River (03-2)
NC0020184 WWTP 16.0000 16.0000 7.0110 20.3000 South Fork Catawba River South Fork Catawba River (03-2)
NC0040070 WTP 0.7500 1.2000 0.0000 0.0000 Unnamed Trib. to Long Creek South Fork Catawba River (03-2)
NC0074268 WWTP 6.0000 6.0000 2.3228 10.3200 Crowders Creek Catawba River (03-1)
ND0084883 WWTP 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 Land Application (SC) Catawba River (03-1)
WQ0001793 WWTP 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 Land Application (NC) Catawba River (03-1)

Land Application Permits: WQ0001793 applied 1,901, dry tons over 130 days in North Carolina & ND0084883 applied 150 dry tons over 16 days in South Carolina. The wastewater from this facility was discharged to Long Creek WWTP for treatment and discharge.

Wastewater Interconnections
Water System PWSID Type Average Daily Amount Contract
Maximum (MGD)
MGD Days Used
Belmont 01-36-015 Receiving 0.2079 365 0.2800
Bessemer City (Abernethy Creek) 01-36-025 Receiving 0.4235 365 0.6083
Bessemer City (Oates Rd) 01-36-025 Receiving 0.3142 365 1.0000
Clover 46-10-006 Receiving 0.6004 365 0.8667
Dallas - SMV & LCA 01-36-065 Receiving 0.0503 365 0.6000
High Shoals 01-36-075 Receiving 0.0227 365 0.1000
Kings Mountain 01-23-020 Receiving 0.0315 365 1.0000
Lowell 01-36-060 Receiving 0.0396 365 0.1500
Ranlo 01-36-034 Receiving 0.2079 365 0.4000
Town of McAdenville 01-36-045 Receiving 0.1241 365 0.1800
Town of Stanley 01-36-035 Receiving 0.4104 365 1.0000

There are 2 permitted sewer connections with Bessemer City with separate contracts: Oates Rd with a contract maximum of 1 MGD and an ADF of 0.3142 and Abernethy Creek with a contract maximum of 0.608 MGD and a ADF of 0.4235. Bessemer City reports the totals
.
There are two portions of the Town of Dallas (Spencer Mountain Village Subdivision and Long Creek Apartments) that have been combined.

Kings Mountain has two metering points that have been combined.

Stanley has two metering points that have been combined.

5. Planning

Projections
  2025 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070
Year-Round Population 96,716 100,795 111,330 122,909 135,817 150,078
Seasonal Population 0 0 0 0 0 0
 
Residential 4.5544 4.7865 5.2872 5.8402 6.4511 7.1259
Commercial 2.2545 2.2708 2.5083 2.7707 3.0605 3.3806
Industrial 0.6278 0.6598 0.7289 0.8051 0.8893 0.9823
Institutional 0.6069 0.6378 0.7046 0.7783 0.8597 0.9496
System Process 6.1937 6.0937 5.8937 5.6937 5.4937 5.2937
Unaccounted-for 3.1104 3.3342 3.1675 3.0091 2.8587 2.7157

A 1.0% yearly increase (compounded annually) in water use projections is based on the projected 1.0% annual population growth in the service area (Gaston County, City of Gastonia, and Cramerton).

Demand v/s Percent of Supply
  2025 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070
Surface Water Supply 75.0000 75.0000 75.0000 75.0000 75.0000 75.0000
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) 75.0000 75.0000 75.0000 75.0000 75.0000 75.0000
Service Area Demand 17.3477 17.7828 18.2902 18.8971 19.6130 20.4478
Sales 1.6307 4.2347 4.2347 4.2347 4.2347 4.2347
Future Sales 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
Total Demand (MGD) 18.9784 22.0175 22.5249 23.1318 23.8477 24.6825
Demand as Percent of Supply 25% 29% 30% 31% 32% 33%

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 47 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.    We are replacing all water meters in the system with modern meters with AMI functionality. This will allow us to monitor water consumption and help customers identify potential leaks that would normally go undiscovered for extended periods. The new meters should read more accurately as well.

Are there other demand management practices you will implement to reduce your future supply needs?   We will continue to use an increasing block rate for residential and irrigation water use to promote conservation. We will continue to use our leak detection equipment to locate and repair leaks. We are replacing all water meters with AMI in the next 3 years.

What supplies other than the ones listed in future supplies are being considered to meet your future supply needs?   The water supply at Mountain Island Lake will meet our needs into the future. Our current permit is for an average daily withdrawal of 75 MGD.

How does the water system intend to implement the demand management and supply planning components above?   We will continue to use an increasing block rate structure and a full cost recovery rate structure. We will continue our leak detection program and meter testing and change-out programs. We will monitor our per capita water use annually as we update the LWSP in order to work to reduce our per capita water use.

Additional Information

Has this system participated in regional water supply or water use planning?  Yes, The City of Gastonia / Two Rivers Utilities participates in the Catawba Wateree Water Management Group and the Catawba Wateree Drought Management Group with other water purveyors in the Catawba Wateree Basin.

What major water supply reports or studies were used for planning?  We participated in the development of the Catawba Wateree Integrated Water Resources Plan. By participating in the Water Management Advisory Group and the DMAG, we have access to reports showing the water flow information and the available water supply in the Catawba River above our intake on Mountain Island Lake. We follow the Low Flow Protocol from the DMAG to determine what level of water conservation may be needed.

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:   Protection of the water quality in our water supply on Mountain Island Lake. Funding assistance to allow further regionalization of the utility systems in Gaston County. The possible impacts of inter-basin transfer regulations on our water supplies from the Catawba River Basin and Mountain Island Lake. Adequate funding sources that support operations, capital improvements and a comprehensive long-term water supply master plan, in order to maintain and expand the water system to meet the needs of our customers and the future needs of Gaston County.

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.