Prolonged drought conditions have led Pender County to issue mandatory water restrictions for several populated areas, including Scott’s Hill, Hampstead, and Rocky Point.
Update: 1 p.m. – Pender County announced it would not institute an emergency water surcharge, which is part of the county’s State 3 Mandatory Restrictions. Other restrictions, including a ban on all non-essential uses (watering lawns, washing cars, running partial loads of dishes or laundry, etc.) remain in place until further notice. The boil advisory remains in effect as well.
PENDER COUNTY — Pender County has issued a water emergency for the Hamsptead and Scott’s Hill areas, banning all “non-essential” water usage, issuing a 50-percent “drought surcharge” as well as boil-water warnings.
“A water shortage emergency is hereby declared for Pender County Utilities water users in the Hampstead and Scott’s Hill areas until further notice. Due to current abnormally dry conditions, greatly increased usage of water from the Rocky Point-Topsail Water & Sewer District system, and current equipment and facilities limitations, the availability of potable water in Hampstead and Scott’s Hill is at reduced levels which could result in low
system pressures and loss of water service,” the county announced on Sunday evening.
Mandatory Restrictions
The Stage 3 Mandatory Restrictions for the affected areas include the following requirements:
- All non-essential uses of drinking water are banned and garden and landscape irrigation must be reduced to the minimum amount necessary for survival.
- Outdoor use of drinking water for washing impervious surfaces is prohibited;
and all testing and training purposes requiring drinking water (e.g., fire protection) will be limited. - Water users shall prevent water waste and runoff; wash only full loads in clothes and dishwashers; use spring-loaded nozzles on garden hoses; and identify and repair
all water leaks. - All water users shall reduce water use by 20 percent compared to their previous month’s water bill.
- Additionally, in Stage 3, a drought surcharge of 1.5 times the normal water rate applies.
Boil warnings
The county has also issued boil warnings for Hampstead, Scott’s Hill, and the Rocky Point area. Customers are advised to boil water “vigorously” for at least one minute.
“Water customers of Pender County Utilities, in Pender County, in all areas of Hampstead, Scott’s Hill, and south of 7390 NC 210 in Rocky Point are advised that water pressures are at reduced levels. Periods of low or no pressure in the distribution system increases the potential for back siphonage and introduction of bacteria into the water system,” according to the county.
Pender County water customers in these areas are advised to “boil all water used for human consumption (including drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation) or use bottled water.”
Water restrictions and boil warnings will remain in effect until further notice.
