Brunswick County's Water Source

Brunswick County treats its water above current state and federal standards in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act and National Primary Drinking Water Standards. The county's Public Utilities department implements an annual flushing program, where fire hydrants are opened and allowed to flow freely to clean out sediment and allow routine maintenance. During this period, the water supplied to residents may be discoloured and could contain some sediment, but the county assures that it is not harmful.

The Brunswick Regional Water and Sewer began servicing their first customers in 1987 and now serves a community of over 40,000 people.

Water treatment and flushing

One of the key treatment methods employed by Brunswick County is the use of an aquifer-sourced reverse osmosis water treatment plant. This process involves forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane to remove impurities, including dissolved solids, chemicals, and bacteria. The result is clean and safe drinking water that meets or exceeds all regulatory standards.

In addition to water treatment, regular flushing of the water mains is necessary to maintain water quality. Annually, Brunswick County implements a flushing program where public utilities employees open fire hydrants, allowing water to flow freely for a short period. This process helps to clean out sediment and facilitate routine maintenance of the fire hydrants. During the flushing period, residents may notice discoloured water with some sediment, which is temporary and not harmful.

The type of chlorine added to the water also changes during the flushing period. Throughout the year, combined chlorine is typically used as part of the water treatment process. However, during flushing, free chlorine is added to help clean out sediment more effectively. This transition from combined chlorine to free chlorine can take up to 10 days, and residents may notice a difference in the taste and colour of their tap water.

To ensure a smooth transition during the flushing period, Public Utilities officials recommend that residents keep a container of drinking water in their fridge, especially those sensitive to the taste and colour of chlorine. The county provides multiple contact points for residents to reach out with any questions or concerns regarding their water supply.

Flushing and sanitising water filtration systems are crucial, especially after extended periods of inactivity. Bacteria can grow on membranes and filter cartridges, compromising water quality. Proper maintenance involves flushing the system for an extended period, replacing filtration elements, and using sanitising products specifically designed for filtration systems. These steps ensure that water filtration systems effectively remove contaminants, providing clean and safe drinking water for residents.

Water quality and safety

The quality of water in Brunswick County, North Carolina, is maintained through various measures by the Brunswick County Public Utilities department and private utility companies like H2GO. These entities are committed to providing clean and safe drinking water to residents, safeguarding public health, and ensuring environmentally responsible wastewater treatment.

To achieve this, Brunswick County Public Utilities treats its source water above current state and federal standards. They adhere to the Safe Drinking Water Act and National Primary Drinking Water Standards, maintaining a rigorous sampling and monitoring schedule. This includes an annual flushing program where fire hydrants are opened to allow water to flow freely, cleaning out sediment and facilitating routine maintenance of over 6,000 fire hydrants in the county. During this period, combined chlorine is replaced with free chlorine, which may cause temporary water discolouration but is not harmful.

H2GO, a multi-award-winning utility company serving over 40,000 people in the region, also plays a crucial role in water quality and safety. They operate an Aquifer-Sourced Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant, ensuring clean and contaminant-free drinking water for their customers. H2GO has issued water conservation alerts in the past, indicating their proactive approach to water management during periods of excessive customer irrigation.

Additionally, Brunswick County has implemented the F.O.G. Program, an educational initiative to inform residents about the proper disposal of fats, oils, and grease. This program contributes to the overall water quality and safety in the county by reducing potential blockages and issues in the wastewater system.

The Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water & Sewer Commission further underscores the importance of water quality and safety. They strive to meet or exceed regulatory requirements, providing sufficient drinking water and responsible wastewater treatment. Their commitment to financial soundness in delivering these services ensures the sustainability and long-term viability of the water and sewer systems.

Water conservation and shortages

Water scarcity is a growing global issue, with 1.1 billion people lacking access to water and 2.7 billion experiencing water scarcity for at least one month per year. This is due to a combination of factors, including population growth, rising living standards, changing diets, irrigated agriculture, climate change, deforestation, water pollution, and wasteful water use. By 2025, two-thirds of the world's population may face water shortages, and ecosystems worldwide will suffer.

Brunswick County, North Carolina, has implemented an annual flushing program to clean out sediment and maintain the over 6,000 fire hydrants in the county's service area. During this period, residents may notice discoloured water, which is temporary and harmless. The county also recommends keeping a container of drinking water in the fridge, as the taste and colour of the water may be affected.

Water conservation is essential to address water scarcity and ensure sustainable water management. This includes reducing water loss and waste, protecting water quality, and improving water management practices. Expanding sources of usable water, such as wastewater treatment and desalination, can also help alleviate water scarcity.

In June 2024, Brunswick Regional Water & Sewer H2GO issued a Stage 4 Water Shortage Alert due to excessive customer irrigation. H2GO is a multi-award-winning utility company serving over 40,000 people in the North Brunswick area. The company aims to provide clean, contaminant-free drinking water and promote public health through its water and sanitary sewer services.

Payment methods and billing

Brunswick County Utility Billing offers its customers a variety of ways to pay their water and sewer utility bills.

You can pay by:

• Check (no fees) through the Brunswick County Customer Portal.
• Debit or credit card (fees apply) through the Customer Portal. A $1 convenience fee is charged for debit card payments, and a $3.45 convenience fee for credit card payments.
• Automatic bank drafting payments by withdrawing the balance from your checking or savings account.
• In-person at Utility Billing in Bolivia (cash or check only).
• Mailing a check to the bank lockbox processing address.
• Phone through Official Payments.
• Dropping off a check payment in the Dropbox outside Building I in Bolivia.

You can also set up an online account to view and print your bill, as well as view your history and usage.

Water and sewer service providers

Water and sewer services in Brunswick County are provided by a number of different entities, depending on the specific location and address. Here is an overview of the primary water and sewer service providers in the county:

Brunswick County Public Utilities

Brunswick County Public Utilities is the primary water provider for the county and serves a large portion of the population. They are responsible for treating source water to meet and exceed current state and federal standards, as outlined in the Safe Drinking Water Act and National Primary Drinking Water Standards. Each year, the utility implements an annual flushing program to clean out sediment and perform routine maintenance on the over 6,000 fire hydrants in their service area. During this time, residents may notice discoloured water, which is temporary and not harmful. Brunswick County Public Utilities can be contacted at 910-253-2657, 910-371-3490, or 910-454-0512 for any queries or concerns.

Brunswick Regional Water & Sewer H2GO

Brunswick Regional Water & Sewer H2GO is a utility company that services the North Brunswick area. Originally established in 1987, the company has grown to serve a community of over 40,000 people. H2GO provides treated water to its customers and is committed to assuring quality of life by providing high levels of water and sanitary sewer services. They have implemented an online district search function that allows users to determine their provider based on their address. In case of emergencies, H2GO provides after-hours contact numbers: 910-367-1537 for water and 910-367-2084 for sewer-related issues.

Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water & Sewer Commission

The Brunswick-Glynn Joint Water & Sewer Commission is dedicated to safeguarding public health and safety by providing sufficient drinking water and environmentally responsible wastewater treatment. They serve the communities in the Brunswick and Glynn areas. The commission offers various services, including metering system upgrades, wastewater treatment, and irrigation meter installations. Customers can reach out to their customer service staff with any questions or concerns.

Brunswick County residents can benefit from the range of services and initiatives provided by these water and sewer service providers, ensuring access to clean and safe water, as well as proper wastewater treatment and disposal.

Frequently asked questions