BREAKING: Brunswick County Enters Stage 3 Mandatory Water Restrictions Amid Exceptional Drought

July 10, 2026 Coastal Carolina News Staff Brunswick County, Business News, Government, News, Outdoor, Weather 0

BOLIVIA, NC — As of today, Friday, July 10, 2026, Brunswick County has officially entered a Stage 3 Mandatory Water Shortage Warning due to worsening drought conditions. With nearly a third of the county now classified in the “Exceptional Drought” (D4) tier—the highest level on the U.S. Drought Monitor—the county has implemented stringent, non-voluntary water conservation measures to ensure the continued availability of water and water pressure for essential needs.

Key Mandatory Restrictions

Under the Stage 3 alert, the following activities are strictly prohibited for all Brunswick County Public Utilities water customers:

Automated Irrigation: All automated outdoor irrigation is prohibited.
Cleaning & Washing: The use of water for washing or cleaning mobile equipment—including automobiles, trucks, boats, and fleet vehicles—is prohibited, with limited exceptions for commercial car washes and essential vehicle maintenance.
Pavement: Power washing and cleaning of impervious or paved surfaces are prohibited.
Pools & Spas: Filling swimming pools, wading pools, hot tubs, spas, and whirlpools is prohibited, except for specific health or rehabilitative purposes documented by a medical professional.
Hydrants: The use of water from fire hydrants is prohibited except for firefighting, fire protection, or essential potable water line flushing.

Note: Commercial power washing is currently excluded from required adjustments at the discretion of the Public Utilities Director.

Escalating Penalty Structure

Non-compliance with these mandatory measures will result in fees assessed directly to the customer’s next utility bill. The county has established the following penalty schedule:

First Offense: $100 non-compliance fee.
Second Offense: $400 non-compliance fee.
Third Offense: $600 non-compliance fee and water disconnection.
Subsequent Offenses: Fines up to $5,000 and water disconnection.

This alert applies to all Brunswick County Public Utilities water customers, including residents, businesses, wholesale customers, and new developments in unincorporated areas and various municipalities including Southport, St. James, and Sunset Beach.

This alert does not apply to customers of Brunswick Regional – H2GO. Customers are encouraged to check h2gonc.gov for their provider’s specific guidance.

Resources and Support

Brunswick County is operating a dedicated call center Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., to assist with inquiries at 910.253.2657:

Press 0: Mandatory Water Restrictions
Press 1: Maintenance Issues
Press 2: Utility Bill Questions

Commercial businesses may apply for a variance by emailing utilityadmin@brunswickcountync.gov. For a comprehensive list of all restrictions, exceptions, and further guidance, residents are directed to visit BrunswickCountyNC.gov/WaterWise