Public Notices

Pender County officials are holding public meetings to address water quality issues and high-speed internet.
Tuesday, October 3rd, 7:00 pm at Penderlea Elementary School Auditorium
Thursday, October 5th, 7:00 pm at Columbia-Shiloh Volunteer Fire Department

Pender County Utilities has rescinded the August 16, 2023, System Pressure Advisory, issued to its water customers on the West side of Pender County and Central Pender County.

Bacteriological analysis results of drinking water samples collected after completion of the water system repair show no coliform bacteria present.  The system has resumed normal operations and you may use the water without boiling.

The system pressure advisory is hereby rescinded on August 18, 2023.

The Pender County Board of Elections will have a Preliminary Hearing on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at 6 p.m. at the Board of Elections Office, 807 S. Walker Street Burgaw, NC 28425

BURGAW- Pender County Utilities issued a water shortage plan for Southeastern Pender County effective May 1. PCU customers located east of Interstate-40 in Rocky Point along and adjacent to NC 210 as well as all of Hampstead and Scotts Hill will be impacted.

“Pender County Utilities is taking a proactive stance to provide water to our growing county,” said Kenny Keel, Pender County Utilities director. “Recent drought conditions, the lack of available materials, and water tower capacity make it necessary to issue some restraints in Southeastern Pender County.”

Restraints include suspending installation and permitting all new irrigation services, due to material availability and water supply limitations. Temporary irrigation meters and service arrangements can be made with PCU for new sod needs on a limited basis.

PCU strongly encourages private wells or well systems for irrigation purposes rather than using PCU service. If irrigation water is sourced from PCU, the use of sod is strongly discouraged to reduce irrigation water demand.

PCU will enforce irrigation restrictions. Irrigation will only be allowed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Enforcement may include the revocation of irrigation meters until restrictions are lifted.

Lastly, PCU reminds all developers that new commercial or residential developments must be able to provide acceptable fire suppression systems, either from PCU or independent of the county water system to meet NC fire code and water extension requirements. Proposed developments require a third-party Professional Engineer certification verifying adequate water flow and pressure for fire conditions.

“As of March 30, Pender County is in Moderate Drought conditions,” said Keel. “We may be forced to make further adjustments to these restrictions based on drought conditions.

“Our key concern is fire safety and providing clean, safe drinking water to PCU customers,” Keel stated.

PCU is currently constructing three new water supply wells and a new 500,000-gallon elevated tank in Scotts Hill. This project will assist the county’s water capacity until a reverse osmosis water plant is constructed in the impacted area. Completion of one well is expected to go online in December, with the additional two wells to go online in early 2024. The elevated water tank, which is under construction on US Hwy 17 in Scotts Hill, will not be completed until May 2024.

“Pender County Utilities has been impacted by tremendous growth, current supply chain supply issues, and inflation pressures,” said Keel. “We need to take these measures seriously to ensure we have water available for fire suppression and general consumption.”

PCU March 30 2023 TTHM Violation Notice to Public

Save the date for the collection of household waste.

Pender County Regulations for Commercial and Residential Tire Disposal           

• Pender County policies on tire disposal for residents are as follows. No more than five (5) tires are allowed per day per resident at any of the county sites that accept tires as well as the Transfer Station. These sites are in White Stocking, Willard, Burgaw, Montague, and Rocky point. If a resident has more than five tires they must go to the Transfer Station in Hampstead and pay the required fee.

• Per the county ordinance, loads of commercial tires can only be taken to Rocky Point Convenience Center and the Hampstead Transfer Station, and quite possibly in the future only be accepted at the Transfer Station. These loads can be no more than one hundred (100) tires per week and must be laced properly when loaded to ensure that the trailer is at maximum capacity when it is hauled. The issue with the commercial tire businesses bringing tires to the Convenience Centers is that the trailer fills quickly and often the residents must wait for the trailer to be hauled before they can dispose of their tire/s.

• Pender County tire policies are similar to other counties. For instance, New Hanover County only has a landfill and whether you are an individual or a business you must take the tires there. There are no convenience centers in NHC. Lincoln County prohibits tire disposal from businesses at any of their eight centers. Only residents of Alleghany County have access to their Transfer Station and no businesses are allowed. Durham County also prohibits commercial tires from their two convenience centers.

• Pender County offers commercial tire businesses the two options of manually disposing of their tires. Another option is contacting Central Carolina Holdings (CCH) to have a trailer placed at their business site for permanent use or once to get excess tires cleaned up. The businesses will be responsible for all charges incurred with the trailer except tire tonnage. Pender County will pay for all tire tonnages.

BURGAW- Pender County Solid Waste will issue new vehicle window decals this spring for resident use at the convenience centers and the Transfer Station.

“Until the new stickers arrive from the printer, Pender County Solid Waste will have a grace period for residents,” said Kenny Keel, Pender County Utilities director. “Residents should continue using the last issued decals into the spring.”

Two new decals will be issued per household through the mail. Additional decals will be available for purchase at $40 each. New decals can be purchased at the Pender County Utilities office, 605 E. Fremont St. in Burgaw, or from the Hampstead Transfer Station on Tuesdays through Fridays.

Residents can pay for full-service trash disposal or recycle-only disposal for use at the county’s multiple convenience sites and the Transfer Station. The charge typically appears on resident tax bills.

Keel said residents often hesitate about affixing the decals to the windshields of vehicles, however, that is a requirement for site access. If a vehicle is traded, simply scrape a portion of the decal from the windshield and the county will replace the decal for residents. He added that if a vehicle is totaled in an accident, take a photo of the windshield and the county will replace the decal at no cost.

“We look forward to providing the new decals this spring,” said Keel.