• How do I get county water service?
  
• How do I get my water tested?
  
• How do I report an environmental emergency?
  
• How do I find get info on NC's environmental & natural resource programs?
  
• Where do I get information on building a farm pond?
• Can I dam up any stream?
• Where can I get old aerial photographs?
• Where can I find Flood Plain Maps?
• Where can I find information on Riparian Buffers?
• Where do I find information about applying for a Well or Septic permit?

How do I get county water service?
There is no Catawba County Water Service. Water is provided by several Cities and by many private water companies or homeowner associations or by community wells. You may have to ask your neighbors about water service that they are receiving.

How do I get my water tested?
Contact the Catawba County Environmental Health Department, Catawba County - http://www.catawbacountync.gov/EnvironmentalHealth/WaterSamples.asp Water samples can be obtained from the Catawba County Environmental Health Division by visiting the Government Center, at 100A Southwest Boulevard in Newton, to submit an application and pay the fee or by downloading the application (PDF) and mailing the completed form to the Environmental Health Division at PO Box 389, Newton, NC 28658, together with the applicable fee.

There are two Private Laboratories that provide water testing services:
Water Tech Laboratories, Inc 828-396-4444
Blue Ridge Labs 828-728-0149.

How do I report an environmental emergency?
Call NC Emergency Management
Toll-free: 1-800-858-0368
 

How do I find get info on NC's environmental & natural resource programs?
For info on NC's environmental & natural resource programs, services & regulations,
call DENR Customer Service toll-free: 1-877-623-6748.

Can I dam up any stream?
It may be against the law to dam up a stream and completely stop the flow of water. Please see these references from the NC General Statutes.

G.S. 77-13 § 77-13. OBSTRUCTING STREAMS A MISDEMEANOR
G.S. 77-14 § 77-14. OBSTRUCTIONS IN STREAMS AND DRAINAGE
 

Where can I get old aerial photographs?
All of the old aerial photography that SCS and NRCS once had, have been donated to the Catawba County Historical Association, and are available for public viewing at the Catawba County Museum of History offices, 1942 Courthouse, in downtown Newton. http://www.catawbahistory.org/

Hours:
Tuesday-Friday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Telephone: 828.465.0383
Facsimile: 828.465.9813

The Farm Service Agency has some aerial photography available. Their offices are co-located (ON THE THRID FLOOR) in the Catawba County Agricultural Resources Center.
 

Where can I find Flood Plain Maps?
Contact the Catawba County Planning Department, or see
http://www.ncfloodmaps.com/
 

Where can I find information on Riparian Buffers?
http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/wq/ps/nps
 

Where do I find information about applying for a Well or Septic permit?
At http://www.catawbacountync.gov/EnvironmentalHealth/HowApply.asp

The On-Site Wastewater program permits and supervises the installation of septic systems where sewer lines are not available so that sewage may be safely disposed of with the least impact on individuals and the environment. The Well program supervises the siting, installation and protection of private water supplies, and monitors the performance of well contractors in Catawba County.

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