BRUNSWICK COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) – Brunswick County is under mandatory Stage 3 water restrictions as of July 10, banning all automated outdoor irrigation and carrying fines of up to $5,000 for repeat violations.
The move comes as nearly a third of the county has reached Exceptional Drought status, the highest classification on the U.S. Drought Monitor scale.
Residents and businesses on the county’s public water system may not run automated sprinklers or irrigation systems, fill pools or hot tubs, wash vehicles, or power wash buildings or pavement.
Restaurants must serve water only upon request.
Violations will be added to the customer’s next utility bill:
First offense: $100Second offense: $400Third offense: $600 and water disconnectionSubsequent offenses: Up to $5,000 and water disconnection
Hand watering of food gardens and existing landscaping is allowed between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. Commercial car washes, commercial power washing, and medical pool use with a doctor’s prescription are also exempt.
The restrictions apply to most Brunswick County Public Utilities customers. Customers of Brunswick Regional H2GO are not affected.
The county said it is watching conditions for a possible Stage 4 alert, which would tighten restrictions further.
For more information, click here or call 910-253-2657.
Copyright 2026 WECT. All rights reserved.