THIS ALERT APPLIES TO VILLAGE UTILITIES CUSTOMERS ON BALD HEAD ISLAND
FROM BRUNWICK COUNTY (Original communication HERE)
As drought conditions continue to worsen and Independence Day weekend approaches, Brunswick County has moved to a Stage 2 MANDATORY Water Conservation Alert that encourages compliance through both warnings and fees. Residents are urged to follow best practices to help ensure water is available for essential needs and to prevent the need for additional measures or restrictions. Following these tips may also help you save many gallons of water or irrigation use on your next bill.
Drought conditions are exacerbating demands on water, particularly related to irrigation use. Irrigation demands represent the bulk of non-essential water use, so a primary way that customers can reduce water usage is to limit irrigation.
The North Carolina Drought Management Council has classified the drought in Brunswick County as an Extreme Drought (D3) condition, which is contributing significantly to the increase in irrigation demands and the availability of source water from the Cape Fear River. Extreme Drought is the second-highest tier on the U.S. Drought Monitor scale, and North Carolina statutes mandate that water systems implement significant water conservation measures.
When Brunswick County issued a Stage 1 Voluntary Water Conservation Alert on June 9, 2026, parts of Brunswick County were only under Severe Drought (D2) conditions. Now, a majority of the County is under Extreme Drought (D3) conditions.
In accordance with the original voluntary water usage adjustments updated on June 25, the Stage 2 MANDATORY Water Conservation Alert requires water customers to only use their irrigation systems between the hours of 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. on their respective days(this includes irrigation for residential lawns, landscaping, athletic fields, golf courses that do not use private groundwater wells or reclaimed water, etc.):
- All address numbers: No irrigation on Mondays
- Odd address numbers and non-addressed facilities: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday (only between 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.)
- Even address numbers: Wednesday, Friday, Sunday (only between 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.)
A full list of the County’s best water usage practices is outlined below.
A key difference between the Stage 1 Voluntary Water Conservation Alert and the Stage 2 MANDATORY Water Conservation Alert is that non-compliance may result in the assessment of significant fees and possible discontinuation of water service. Brunswick County will be monitoring irrigation use as long as the Stage 2 Water Conservation Alert is in place.
Brunswick County will continue to monitor the drought conditions and water usage to determine whether a Stage 3 Water Shortage Warning with Mandatory Restrictions may become necessary. In Stage 3, any use of automatic sprinkler systems for residential and commercial lawn and landscape irrigation is prohibited.
Who Is Affected by This Mandatory Water Conservation Alert?
This water conservation alert affects all customers of the following public water systems:
- Brunswick County Public Utilities Customers (see paragraph below for more details)
- Bald Head Island Utilities Customers
- Holden Beach Utilities Customers
- Oak Island Utilities Customers
- Ocean Isle Beach Utilities Customers
Brunswick County asks these customers to diligently use water wisely. Demand for water has exceeded 90% of the available production and distribution capacity. As Independence Day approaches, water demands are expected to increase.
Utilities customers of Bald Head Island, Holden Beach, Oak Island, and Ocean Isle Beach are under the same restrictions since these utilities receive their water from Brunswick County Public Utilities.
Stage 2 Mandatory Water Usage Adjustments
Under a Stage 2 MANDATORY Water Conservation Alert, water system customers are required to make adjustments to their water usage habits to appreciably reduce peak demands by at least 10%.
Irrigation demands represent the bulk of non-essential water use, so a primary way that customers can reduce water usage is to limit irrigation. A unified application of water reductions by all water system users in Brunswick County may help to avoid a more stringent level of mandatory water restrictions.
Here are specific ways you can reduce your water use in and around your home.
1. Minimize non-essential use of water.
2. Outdoor irrigation using water from the public water system is prohibited, except for:
- Watering lawns and landscaping with automatic irrigation systems (spray irrigation, drip irrigation, etc.) less than one inch of water per week, between the hours of 8:00 PM and 4:00 AM in accordance with the following schedule:
- No irrigating on Mondays
- Properties with odd-numbered addresses (ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, 9) and non-addressed facilities may irrigate on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Properties with even-numbered addresses (ending in 2, 4, 6, 8, 0) may irrigate on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday
In our USDA Hardiness Zone 8B/Coastal Plain, lawns stay damp overnight regardless of irrigation, so watering overnight will not affect your risk of fungal growth. Do not overwater your lawn – it wastes fertilizer and water which wastes your money and can cause plants unnecessary stress.
- Maintaining newly installed landscapes, lawns, and erosion control projects that are under a written warranty and that were initiated prior to the issuance of an Extreme Drought advisory, not to exceed the minimum rate necessary on the day of installation and for 60 days following installation, by means designed and operated to maximize water use efficiency and to prevent run-off and excessive watering; Documentation verifying the installation date inclusive of digitally date stamped photos, receipts, etcetera must be provided to Brunswick County upon request;
- Using spray irrigation by wastewater effluent treatment systems according to permit conditions under the provisions of North Carolina Administrative Code 15A NCAC 02U .0100 and any successive rules and amendments;
- Maintaining athletic fields with less than one inch of water per week between the hours of 8:00 PM and 4:00 AM;
- Maintaining personal food gardens less than ¼ acre ;
- Maintaining existing landscape plantings at the minimum rate necessary, between the hours of 8:00 PM and 4:00 AM, using a hand-held container or hand-held hose;
- Watering golf course tees, fairways, and greens by means of an automated irrigation system between the hours of 8:00 PM and 4:00 AM with less than one inch of water per week;
- Syringing golf course tees and greens exhibiting visible signs of stress between the hours of 12:00 PM and 4:00 AM, at the minimum rate necessary; and
- Maintaining plant inventories, by means designed and operated to maximize water use efficiency, at retail garden centers, garden centers within mass merchant stores, or other businesses with live plants as their stock in trade.
3. The use of water for washing or cleaning of mobile equipment including automobiles, trucks, boats, and fleet vehicles is prohibited, except for:
- Operating commercial car washes that utilize the industry’s best management practices for the efficient use of water and those that recycle, reclaim, or reuse a portion of their wash water in their daily operations and have reduced total water consumption by 10% below the amount used in the month prior to a NCDMAC Extreme Drought designation in the affected area;
- Washing with a hand-held hose with an automatic shutoff device using less than five gallons per vehicle;
- Cleaning new and used vehicles using less than five gallons per vehicle to prepare for display in a dealer’s showroom, upon receipt from the manufacturer or prior owner, and following a sale prior to delivery to the purchaser; and
- Cleaning of construction, emergency, transport, or public transportation vehicles if necessary to preserve the functioning and operation of the vehicle.
4. The use of water for washing impervious and paved surfaces is prohibited, except for:
- Prewashing in preparation for painting, recoating, or sealing; and
- Applying at the minimum rate necessary for sanitation and public health purposes.
5. The use of water for ornamental fountains, artificial waterfalls, misting machines, reflecting pools, and ornamental ponds is prohibited, except for the minimum amount of make-up water necessary to maintain aquatic life.
6. The use of water for power washing of buildings and other structures is prohibited except by licensed commercial businesses and when necessary to meet federal, state, and local public health and safety requirements.
7. The use of water for flushing sewer lines is prohibited except when necessary to meet public health and safety standards.
8. The use of water from fire hydrants is prohibited, except for:
- Fighting fire and fire protection purposes;
- Testing or training if it is necessary to protect public safety and has been approved by Brunswick County Public Utilities; and
- Flushing of potable water lines to protect the public health.
9. The filling of family, public, or private swimming pools, including wading pools, hot tubs, spas, and whirlpool tubs, is prohibited, except:
- For health and rehabilitative purposes as prescribed by a medical doctor or administered by a medical facility (documentation to be provided upon request); and
- For the minimal amount of make-up water necessary to maintain a pool’s structural integrity and filtration system (documentation to be provided upon request).
10. The serving of water in eating and drinking establishments shall be done on customer request only.
11. Water shall be applied at the minimum rate necessary to maintain effective dust and erosion control during the construction of roads and highways initiated prior to the declaration of an Extreme Drought by the NCMDAC.
12. Use a shower instead of a bath. Use a shower for bathing rather than a bath. To save even more water, limit your shower to no more than five minutes.
13. Do not leave water running. Do not leave faucets running while shaving, brushing teeth, rinsing, or preparing food.
14. Inspect and repair all faulty and defective parts of faucets and toilets.
15. Make water-efficient replacements. Replace your showerheads, faucets, and appliances with water-efficient models.
16. Install water saving devices in toilets such as early closing flappers.
17. Do not use water-cooled air conditioners from 4:00 am until 10:00am.
18. Use drought-tolerant plants. Plant drought-tolerant grasses, trees, and plants. Visit the N.C. Cooperative Extension – Brunswick County Center website for more information on plants that thrive in Brunswick County.
19. Do not water pavement. Do not water or wash pavement and impervious surfaces such as sidewalks, driveways, patios, etc.
20. Regularly maintain your landscape. Replace mulch around shrubs and garden plants to help them retain moisture. Remove weeds and thatch as necessary so they don’t compete with your desired plants for water. Aerate your soil and keep your soil healthy.
21. Limit the use of wash machines. Limit the use of clothes washers and dishwashers. When used, operate fully loaded. Avoid using washers between 4 a.m. and 8 p.m.
22. Keep food out of dishwater and washers. Scrape items from your dirty dishes into the trash before putting your dishes in the sink or dishwasher.
23. Cool water using refrigerator. Keep drinking water in a container in the refrigerator instead of running water from a faucet until it is cool.
24. Clean showerheads and faucets regularly. Clean your showerhead, faucets, and faucet accessories (such as aerators) regularly to remove mineral buildup and debris. Repair or replace damaged devices.
The cooperation of all water customers is essential during a Stage 2 MANDATORY Water Conservation Alert. Failure to comply may result in the assessment of the non-compliance fees up to $300 and water disconnection for standard non-compliance. If allowed to reconnect after disconnection, reconnection fees would also apply. Habitual and/or gross offenses of the MANDATORY Stage 2 Water Conservation Alert may receive penalties of up to $5,000 and water disconnection.
This is not a water quality advisory, it is a mandatory water conservation alert. There is no need to boil water for potable use unless you receive a low-pressure advisory notice for your specific area due to other conditions in the water distribution system.
Residents will be notified if any other conservation measures are needed and when conditions dictate that restrictions are no longer required.
Bald Head Island Customers who have questions should contact Village Utilities via email at jmccann@villagebhi.org.