Brunswick County: Conserving water is imperative

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) – As a reminder for those who live in Brunswick County, mandatory water conservation measures are still in place for all consumers of public water in Brunswick County following a water main break.

The raw water main owned by the Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority that carries raw water from the Kings Bluff Raw Water Pump Station to the County-owned Northwest Water Treatment Plant and others broke Thursday.

A Brunswick County spokesperson says because this water main break affects one of Brunswick County Public Utilities’ sources of water, it affects not only Brunswick County Public Utilities customers but also the customers of utility providers that purchase wholesale water from Brunswick County, including:

• City of Northwest
• City of Southport
• H2GO
• Town of Holden Beach
• Town of Leland
• Town of Navassa
• Town of Oak Island
• Town of Ocean Isle Beach
• Town of Shallotte
• Village of Bald Head Island

Brunswick County says it is imperative that all public utility customers in Brunswick County do their part to help conserve water until the water main is repaired, likely next week. This applies to those who purchase water directly from Brunswick County Public Utilities, as well as those who purchase water from one of the entities listed above, in all areas of Brunswick County.

This break is also why the CFPUA is at its highest level of mandatory water restrictions. As of today, the CFPUA will begin warning residents and then fining them if they do not adhere to the restrictions that are in place.

CFPUA spokesman Mike McGill said they are asking people to cut back their water usage about one third.

“On average we produce 16 to 17 million gallons a day from various sources. In this case the water supply line that we received is going to be cut down to 10 million gallons,” McGill said.

He said the only way to fill that gap right now is through the compliance of people.

“If people don’t adhere to the restrictions and we draw down our system to such a low level where pressure may be impacted then you could have a situation where everybody in the service area is put under a precautionary boil water advisory,” McGill said.