Brunswick County Signals Tighter Water Limits Ahead as Extreme Drought Deepens

July 3, 2026 Coastal Carolina News Staff Brunswick County, Government, News, Weather 0

Stage 2 restrictions remain in force; officials warn Stage 3 could halt all automatic irrigation.

By Coastal Carolina News Staff Writer

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC — Brunswick County remains under a Stage 2 Mandatory Water Conservation Alert as Extreme Drought (D3) conditions continue to intensify, and officials say a full ban on automatic lawn and landscape irrigation is possible if conditions worsen.

The county’s public notice confirms that drought‑driven irrigation demand has pushed water usage to more than 90% of available production and distribution capacity. Irrigation represents the largest share of non‑essential water use, and officials are urging residents to follow the mandatory schedule to avoid more stringent restrictions.

Under Stage 2, automatic irrigation is limited to less than one inch of water per week and may only run between 8:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. on designated nights:

Odd-numbered addresses: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays
Even-numbered addresses: Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays
Even-numbered addresses only: Midnight to 4:00 a.m. Mondays
No irrigation permitted for odd-numbered addresses on Mondays

These restrictions apply to residential lawns, landscaping, athletic fields, and golf courses that do not use private groundwater wells or reclaimed water.

Brunswick County Public Utilities is actively monitoring irrigation use. Properties found out of compliance will receive alerts through the ReadyBrunswick notification system or via the utility account on file. Automated calls will originate from 910‑253‑1799, which cannot receive incoming calls.

The Stage 2 designation carries legal weight. Non‑compliance may result in fees up to $300 and water disconnection for standard violations, while habitual or gross offenses may incur penalties up to $5,000 and possible disconnection.

County officials warn that if drought conditions continue to deteriorate, a Stage 3 Water Shortage Warning may be necessary. Under Stage 3, all automatic sprinkler use for residential and commercial lawn and landscape irrigation would be prohibited.

Residents can find updates at brunswickcountync.gov/WaterWise.