Holden Beach suspends splash pad operations until further notice

HOLDEN BEACH, NC (WWAY) — The Town of Holden Beach has closed its public splash pad until further notice as officials work to conserve water during ongoing drought conditions in Brunswick County.

In a social media announcement, the town said the closure is being made “in anticipation of further water restrictions” and encouraged residents to help avoid mandatory conservation measures by following Brunswick County’s voluntary water-saving recommendations.

The closure comes as Brunswick County remains under a Stage 1 Water Conservation Alert. County officials recently updated their voluntary irrigation recommendations as drought conditions have worsened and the Independence Day holiday approaches, when water demand typically increases.

Under the updated recommendations, residents are asked not to irrigate on Mondays. Properties with odd-numbered addresses should irrigate only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, while even-numbered addresses should irrigate on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Irrigation should only occur between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. on scheduled watering days.

Brunswick County officials say irrigation accounts for much of the area’s non-essential water use and reducing outdoor watering can help prevent additional conservation measures or mandatory restrictions. The county said customers served by Brunswick County Public Utilities, as well as utilities in Holden Beach, Bald Head Island, Oak Island and Ocean Isle Beach, are affected by the Stage 1 alert.

The town did not say when the splash pad is expected to reopen.