BRUNSWICK COUNTY — Brunswick County remains under a stage 3 water conservation alert but has changed its mandatory irrigation schedule to allow automated systems to operate twice per week.
The southern portion of the county remains in exceptional drought, or D4, according to the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council. Brunswick County has been classified at D4 — the highest level on the U.S. Drought Monitor scale — since July 9, though other parts of the county have varied in drought from D1 (moderate) to D3 (extreme). It’s also been under some form of water conservation alert since June 9.
Under the updated Stage 3 schedule, customers may use automated spray or drip irrigation systems between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. on designated days. Irrigation must be limited to less than 1 inch of water per week.
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Properties with odd-numbered addresses, ending in 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9, and facilities without addresses may irrigate during the following periods:
- 8 p.m. Tuesday to 4 a.m. Wednesday
- 8 p.m. Saturday to 4 a.m. Sunday
Properties with even-numbered addresses, ending in 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8, may irrigate during the following periods:
- 8 p.m. Wednesday to 4 a.m. Thursday
- 8 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Saturday
The schedule applies to residential and commercial lawns and landscaping, athletic fields and golf courses that do not use private groundwater wells or reclaimed water. Violations may result in fees under the Stage 3 warning.
Residents may water personal food gardens smaller than one-quarter acre between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. on any day using a hand-held container, hand-held hose or drip irrigation system with an automatic shutoff. Existing landscaping may also be watered at the minimum rate necessary during those hours using a hand-held container or hose.
County officials said water use and system demand have improved since the Stage 3 warning began in July, allowing the irrigation schedule to be expanded. The county will continue monitoring water consumption, rainfall, forecasts and drought conditions before making additional changes.
Customers are encouraged to check for expected rainfall before irrigating to avoid overwatering. Fines are also optional for customers who don’t follow the guidelines.
A full list of restrictions and exceptions is available at BrunswickCountyNC.gov/WaterWise.
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