Kannapolis Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

The City of Kannapolis Water Resources Department serves approximately 48,893 people across Kannapolis in Rowan and Cabarrus Counties, North Carolina. Primary water is drawn from Kannapolis Lake, a 1.35 billion gallon reservoir, with supplemental sources including Lake Don T. Howell in Cabarrus County and Second Creek in Rowan County. Additional supply comes via interconnections with the City of Concord and City of Salisbury, with future access to the Catawba and Yadkin Rivers through an interbasin transfer. Average daily demand is 6 million gallons; water undergoes conventional treatment with hypochlorite disinfection at facilities linked to these surface sources.

Kannapolis Lake lies in the Yadkin-Pee Dee watershed, receiving inflows from Coddle Creek and Second Creek. The Piedmont region's geology, dominated by ancient metamorphic and igneous rocks including gneiss, schist, and granite from Precambrian-Paleozoic eras, yields a soft supply with low mineral content. This contrasts with harder waters from carbonate-rich areas; no groundwater aquifer is used — all sources are surface-based. The limited dissolution of calcium and magnesium from these non-carbonate formations results in minimally mineralised water with fewer scaling issues.

As a soft water supply, Kannapolis water poses low risk of scale buildup in pipes and appliances, extending the longevity of water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines without frequent deliming. Soap and detergent efficiency is high, reducing usage. However, soft water can be more aggressive, potentially leaching metals from old plumbing — monitor for corrosion. A water softener is not recommended. The 2025 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report confirms compliance with all EPA standards; past E. coli detection from a pipe break prompted a brief boil water advisory, since resolved after flushing and testing.