Updated capacity rules prompt review as county advances major wastewater expansions
Brunswick County NC — The county is facing a pause in new sewer line extension permits as the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) reviews wastewater capacity under updated state rules. Within the last 90 days, the Wilmington regional office has not approved any new extensions, affecting only projects without existing permits.
The pause is not a moratorium, but a review triggered by state capacity rules — a distinction that can be easily misinterpreted without clear explanation.
The review follows Senate Bill 673, which allows high growth counties to allocate up to 110% of existing wastewater capacity, and up to 115% when an expansion is within two years of completion. Allocation is based on the total maximum flow of issued permits compared to a facility’s hydraulic capacity.
Despite higher allocation totals, actual flows remain well below hydraulic limits. The Northeast Brunswick Regional Wastewater System in Navassa is operating at roughly 61–62% capacity, far under the 80% planning threshold. The county is already pursuing an expansion permit to stay ahead of growth and regulatory changes.
Major upgrades are underway, including a six million gallon expansion at the West Brunswick Regional Water Reclamation Facility and a 750,000‑gallon expansion at the Mulberry Branch facility in Shallotte, expected online in February. A large scale project in the Supply area remains a key long‑term improvement, and future expansions of 9 to 12 million gallons may be required if allocation based calculations continue.
Permit approvals are expected to resume sooner in northern Brunswick, where systems remain well below capacity. The timeline for the western side of the county remains uncertain as the state review continues.
© 2026 BCDollarSaver.com. All Rights Reserved.
Be the first to comment