Water conservation measures continue for Brunswick County Public Utilities customers, repairs to begin

Following an assessment of damage to a water main, Brunswick County Public Utility residential customers in all areas of the County should continue to follow mandatory water conservation requirements, though commercial car washes can resume operations.

Brunswick County will move from a Level 3 to a Level 2 Water Emergency over the weekend. On Tuesday, when crews will make repairs to the water main, the County will once again move to a Level 3 Water Emergency and it will be critical that water usage in this time is minimal.

Residents are still prohibited from watering lawns or other outdoor plants, washing cars at home, and other non-essential uses in a Level 2 Water Emergency. Commercial car washes can operate, however, during a Level 2 Water Emergency. Under a Level 3 Water Emergency, commercial car washes cannot operate.

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, resulting in flooding in the area near the main break. Crews had to temporarily shut down pumps at Kings Bluff in order to stop the leak and lower the water level, in order to be able to access the break and determine the cause of the pipe failure. Crews were able to restart the pumps after the assessment, helping provide additional water and allowing the Water Emergency Level to be lowered. But the pumps will need to be temporarily shut down again to complete repairs on Tuesday.

In addition to the mandatory restrictions, residents are also encouraged to take additional measures to reduce water consumption, such as taking showers instead of baths and only running full loads, instead of partial loads, in dishwashers or washing machines.

Thank you to our residents for complying with the water restrictions, which has reduced demand on the water distribution system. Thank you also to Brunswick County employees, State Utility employees and Cape Fear Public Utility Authority staff for their efforts to make repairs quickly, while maintaining water service to residents.

Those who have questions should contact 910-253-5383.