Frequently Asked Questions

Brunswick County's two drinking water treatment plants are designed to filter and kill all kinds of viruses including COVID-19 the Coronavirus. The EPA mandated through the Safe Drinking Water Act that all drinking water treatment facilities designed and built in the United States be able to inactivate viruses and bacteria. The disinfection process of using chlorine is very effective at inactivating (killing) viruses. The World Health Organization has recently published a technical document describing the Coronavirus as having a "fragile outer membrane" that is generally less stable and more susceptible to oxidants such as chlorine (page 2 of document).

See more information regarding COVID-19 and drinking water.

This can be caused by many factors within the home plumbing system and/or public distribution system. This discoloration is not a health risk. Run your tap for fifteen to twenty minutes, and if the problem persists, please call us at 910-253-2657.

The possible causes are:

• Flushing: Piping in the distribution system leading to your home may be rusty or have loose sediment, creating rusty-brown/murky water when disturbed. When valves in the public system are operated (opened or closed) rust and sediment can be dislodged. The operation of fire hydrants, flushing or routine maintenance in your area, and rust can also cause discoloration in the water.
• Water heaters and galvanized or iron plumbing: If you are having trouble and your neighbors are not, then your home plumbing or water heater may be the issue. Some common characteristics of a corrosion problem in your home plumbing include:
  • The discoloration is only in the hot water
  • The water is discolored every morning or when first used after several hours of disuse
  • The water clears after it has run for a few minutes
  • The discoloration is only at one or several faucets in your home, not all of them

Brunswick County is responsible for the service line from the water main at the street to the back side of the meter box, the tie-in point where the plumber/homeowner makes the connection. Please note that if the homeowner requests a service call for a leak and it is found to be on the customer's side, the County is not responsible for the repair. Furthermore, a fee for the site visit will be issued to the party responsible for the account. If the problem IS found on the County side, the repair will be made at no charge to the customer.

Your local health department should assist in explaining any tests that you need for various contaminants. If your local health department is unable to help, you can contact a state-certified laboratory to perform the test. To find a state-certified laboratory in your area call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

View these documents for more information:

• Important Facts About Your Water Meter (PDF)
• Lead In Drinking Water (PDF)