Neighboring counties have placed restrictions on water usage but CFPUA is only suggesting its customers conserve water.

WILMINGTON — As the region continues to see hot and dry conditions, water utility providers around the Cape Fear area have already seen the stress put on water systems prompting water restrictions in both Pender and Brunswick Counties — meanwhile, in New Hanover County, CFPUA is only “encouraging” voluntary water preservation.

“Cape Fear Public Utility Authority encourages customers to use water wisely as persistent high temperatures and lack of rain increase demands on the community’s drinking water systems. Although CFPUA has not implemented water-use restrictions at this time, customers should consider steps to reduce water use to ensure service for all customers and adequate supply for essential services, such as fire protection and medical uses,” according to a press release.

In Brunswick County, residents have seen repeatedly lower water pressures due to high use, but only a few CFPUA customers have been affected similarly.

“Sporadic low pressure has been reported by some customers in the Middle Sound area over the last several days. CFPUA staff are exploring interim steps to mitigate this until a planned water main extension is installed sometime in late 2020 or early 2021,” according to the release.

Although not under any advisory, there are steps residents can take to help conserve water.

Wise water-use steps include:

• Operating irrigation systems in the early morning or evening, no more than two to three times a week to distribute a total of one inch of rain per week on lawns.
• Running only full laundry and dishwasher loads.
• Turning off water when not in use, such as when brushing teeth.
• Using a trigger nozzle that automatically shuts off when washing vehicles.

CFPUA utilizes several ‘triggers’ to determine the need for water conservation and identifies five stages: normal, stage 1, stage 2, stage 3, and stage 4, to asses watering prohibitions.

As of now, CFPUA has not reached any of these triggers, according to CFPUA spokesman Vaughn Hagerty.

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