CFPUA lifts most restrictions as bypass construction on broken water line wraps

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) has lifted most mandatory water restrictions after work to build a bypass around a broken line that supplies raw water to area utilities has finished.

CFPUA says mandatory restrictions remain for outside irrigation systems that are not supplied by a well. Violations may result in a warning for a first offense and $500 per violation per day after that. If violations continue, water service could be cut off to violators.

According to a news release, the multi-agency construction of a 900-foot bypass waterline along the Cape Fear River in Bladen County is complete, and the initial 24-hour test period passed without issue.  The bypass line is now supplying Brunswick County, CFPUA and Pender County with approximately 17 million gallons of raw water a day. CFPUA says this is less than the output of the original line that broke earlier this month, but it is enough of a boost of supply to allow for a phased-in lifting of the restrictions.

With the bypass line working, CFPUA says crews will now shift their focus to the permanent repair of the original 48-inch waterline,. That work will take several more days to complete. The temporary road is being extended to the break scene and equipment is being shifted to start the sheeting work that is necessary to create a safe repair scene.