Brunswick County issues water conservation alert amid drought, rising temperatures

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — With temperatures expected to reach the mid- and upper 90s in the coming days and drought conditions persisting across the Cape Fear region, Brunswick County officials are urging residents to reduce water use through a Stage 1 Water Conservation Alert.

The alert applies to customers served by Brunswick County Public Utilities, as well as residents in Bald Head Island, Holden Beach, Oak Island, and Ocean Isle Beach.

County officials are asking customers to avoid irrigating lawns between 5 a.m. and 11 a.m., when water demand is typically at its highest. Usage trends show peak demand occurs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during those morning hours.

In addition to avoiding irrigation during peak demand periods, Brunswick County Communications Director Meagan Kascsak said residents are being asked to follow a watering schedule based on their street address.

“If you have an odd address, your irrigation days would be on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays,” Kascsak said. “And even addresses would be on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. And then Monday would be a no irrigation day.”

Residents say they are already seeing the effects of the dry conditions.

Carrie Rae Davis, who lives in an unincorporated area of Leland and owns The Golf Barn, said she is following the county’s recommendations both at home and at her business.

“We’ve really noticed a change at The Golf Barn. The grass isn’t as green, things aren’t as lush,” Davis said. “But, you know, we’re waiting for Mother Nature to kick in, but we’re also observing all of the rules and regulations that the county and the state is making us do. We want our grass to look nice, but really we don’t want it to affect our community.”

County officials are also encouraging residents to adopt additional water-saving measures. Kascsak said homeowners should limit lawn watering to about 1 inch per week, consider planting drought-resistant landscaping and avoid watering pavement.

Other conservation tips include taking showers instead of baths, avoiding washing clothes or dishes during the 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. peak-demand period and cleaning showerheads and faucets to improve water efficiency.