LELAND, N.C. (WECT) – Brunswick Regional Water and Sewer H2GO on Wednesday, June 19, issued a Stage 4 Water Shortage Alert, prohibiting all irrigation until further notice.

The utility says that all non-essential water use is not allowed and that non-compliance could result in civil penalties.

“Excessive customer irrigation has continued to increase over the past several weeks putting the water system at capacity and threatening the integrity of water supply wells,” an H2GO announcement states.

H2GO’s executive director Bob Walker says it’s typical to see more water use in the summer month, but what’s currently being used is excessive. He says three million gallons a day are being used for turf and lawns alone, what he calls an abuse of water resources.

“We have plenty of water for basic needs. What we don’t have is water for excessive irrigation,” Walker said.

Walker says supply wells are currently running 24/7. With the restriction, it should give the system a break.

“In order to protect the integrity of the system, we had to put this water restriction in place to make sure that we have water for drinking, water to bathe, water to flush and water for fire protection. And those are the priorities,” Walker said.

Walker says the utility has prepared for population growth in the county and says it’s not related to the uptick in water use.

“I think there’s a misnomer out there that the growth has contributed to this, and I just want to set the record straight that you know, we’ve planned for a 10% growth on an annual basis,” Walker said.

H2GO says it plans to evaluate daily water demands, system capacities, water supply well rates and rain amounts to figure out sustainable customer use and potential easing of restrictions.

Walker says the length of the restriction will depend on the weather and how well customers comply.

You can find more water conservation info here and the H2GO Water Shortage Response Plan here.

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