BRUNSWICK COUNTY — After a few weeks under a voluntary water conservation alert, Brunswick County has moved up a stage into mandatory compliance.
The notice comes as drought conditions in the region have worsened and intensified water demand now exceeds 90% of available production and distribution capacity. With Independence Day nearing, the usage is expected to increase as tourists flock to the area for the holiday.
Also, the North Carolina Drought Management Council has listed Brunswick County in an extreme drought, the second highest tier on the U.S. Drought Monitor scale. Thus, North Carolina statutes mandate water systems implement significant conservation efforts, according to the county.
READ MORE: Burn ban issued for Brunswick County
Irrigation is where water use can be cut back first, as it’s non-essential. Thus, the county is asking utilities customers to use water for lawns, landscaping needs, athletic fields, and golf courses between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. on specific days only.
- All addresses: No irrigation on Mondays
- Odd address numbers/non-addressed facilities: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday (only between 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.)
- Even address numbers: Wednesday, Friday, Sunday (only between 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.)
Non-compliance may result in fees and potential discontinuation of water service. Brunswick County will be monitoring irrigation while under a stage 2 alert and public utilities will notify property owners who may be out of compliance.
The alert affects the following public water systems:
- Brunswick County Public Utilities Customers — Boiling Spring Lakes, Bolivia, Calabash, Carolina Shores, Caswell Beach, Navassa, Northwest, Sandy Creek, Shallotte, Southport, St. James, Sunset Beach, and Varnamtown
- Bald Head Island Utilities Customers
- Holden Beach Utilities Customers
- Oak Island Utilities Customers
- Ocean Isle Beach Utilities Customers
The alert isn’t applicable to Brunswick Regional – H2GO customers, people with private groundwater wells or those using highly treated reclaimed water, such as St. James, Winding River, Sea Trail, and Sandpiper Bay golf courses.
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