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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Residents and businesses on the county\u2019s public water system may not run automated sprinklers or irrigation systems, fill pools or hot tubs, wash vehicles, or power wash buildings or pavement.<\/p>\n
Restaurants must serve water only upon request.<\/p>\n
Violations will be added to the customer\u2019s next utility bill:<\/p>\n
First offense: $100Second offense: $400Third offense: $600 and water disconnectionSubsequent offenses: Up to $5,000 and water disconnection<\/p>\n
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\u2019s prescription are also exempt.<\/p>\n
The restrictions apply to most Brunswick County Public Utilities customers. Customers of Brunswick Regional H2GO are not affected.<\/p>\n
The county said it is watching conditions for a possible Stage 4 alert, which would tighten restrictions further.<\/p>\n