The cities of Concord and Kannapolis were in the midst of the worst multi-year drought in North Carolina history where they were forced to realize the importance of water preservation. With the cities receiving 60-70 inches below the normal the value of water rose tremendously. Through forming an IBT with adjacent cities the region was able to spread water preservation awareness while simultaneously putting into action a system that would allow all the cities to not be as greatly impacted in future droughts. The program has been nominated for the 2016 Local Government Excellence Awards in the category of Community Sustainability (populations of 50,000 and greater).