As neighborhoods and business districts age, so do water and wastewater pipes that support them. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities Rehabilitation Team coordinates the replacement or restoration of older water and wastewater pipes. 

Charlotte Neighborhood Improvement Projects also include water and wastewater infrastructure rehabilitation.

Since 1997, more than 100 miles of wastewater pipe were rehabbed and 100 miles of water pipe were lined or replaced. 

Water Rehab (Relining inside of pipe or pipe replacement)

While water pipes are out of service, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities typically maintains a continuous supply of water to customers through an above ground temporary water system. To ensure the water is safe to drink, the temporary system is disinfected and tested prior to putting it into service.

Water pipe rehabilitation usually involves inserting a new lining inside the existing pipe. This process involves an innovative technique of cleaning the inside of the existing water main, then applying a protective coating to extend the useful life of the pipe. This is accomplished using limited digging at strategic locations, which means less digging and pavement repair and less inconvenience to customers.

Past Water Rehab Projects included improving or replacing pipes under streets in Wilmore, Plaza-Midwood, Eastover, Chantilly, Dilworth, South End, Belmont, Myers Park, and other neighborhoods. 

Special foam helps kill tree roots.  Tree roots break wastewater pipes to soak up the water.

Wastewater projects include replacing or re-lining pipes also. Past projects include the uptown area, the McMullen Creek basin (between Sharon / Park Road and Carmel Road / Sardis Road), Briar Creek, the Upper Little Sugar Creek basin (between Graham St./ South Blvd. and The Plaza / Selwyn Ave.), and along numerous creeks and tributaries throughout the county.

Root Control is a new project that identifies areas where tree roots are clogging wastewater pipes.  Tree roots break wastewater pipes to soak up the water.  We clear the tree roots by adding a herbicide foam that kills the root in the pipe without killing the tree.