Wastewater (Sewer)

Water & Wastewater
Public Works (910) 259-2901
After hours and holiday emergency water and sewer issues (910) 470-0457

The Public Works Department is responsible for the maintenance of all water and wastewater (sewer) facilities. The Public Works Department is responsible for the maintenance of all water distribution and sewer collection lines.

Sewer Blockage
Public Works (910) 259-2901
After hours and holidays (910) 470-0457

When a sewer blockage occurs, contact the Public Works Department Monday through Friday 8 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. After hours or on holidays, call (910) 470-0457.

The Town will access the system to determine if the blockage is on the Town’s side or the property owner’s side of the sewer line. The Town will clear blockages that occur on the Town’s side of the sewer line, defined generally as the main sewer line, or the sewer service from the main sewer line to the sewer clean-out pipe. The sewer clean-out is typically a white, vertical, capped, 4” PVC pipe that is located at the edge of the right-of-way and provides direct access to the sewer system. Homeowners are responsible for blockages that occur in the portion of the sewer service located between the sewer clean-out pipe and the dwelling. If there is no sewer clean-out pipe at the edge of the property, the homeowner is responsible for blockages that occur anywhere in the sewer lateral.

Fats, Oil and Grease Control
Public Works (910) 259-2901

Fats, oil and grease often accumulate in plumbing and drainage systems, causing a high percentage of sewer system backups and overflows.

The problem is receiving increased attention because of the public health threat and environmental effects of sewer system overflows. The state may fine municipalities as much as $10,000 along with cleanup if grease contributes to a sewer overflow.

Tips for Residents

Many sewer backups occur between the home and the town’s sewer main. You can prevent a costly and unsanitary overflows.

What to Do

  • Scrape excess grease in a container and dispose of it in the garbage.
  • Place food scraps in waste containers or garbage bags for disposal with solid wastes or start a compost pile.
  • Scrape utensils before washing.
  • Place a wastebasket in the bathroom for disposing of solid wastes rather than flushing.
  • Disposable diapers and personal hygiene products do not belong in the sewer system. Promote the concept of “3 R’s: reduce, reuse, and recycle.”

What Not to Do

  • Do not pour grease, fats, and oils from cooking down the drain.
  • Do not use the toilet as a wastebasket.
  • Do not use the sewer as a means of disposing food scraps.

Sewer Use Ordinance
Public Works (910) 259-2901

In 1990, the Town approved an ordinance geared primarily toward commercial utility customers that restricts the amounts of grease, sand solids and pollutants utility customers can empty into the municipal wastewater collection system. The ordinance requires some utility customers to intercept or treat the pollutants before they enter the Town’s wastewater collection system. Because pollutants can interfere with wastewater collection and treatment by restricting the amounts of pollutants emptied into the system, the ordinance helps to protect water quality while maintaining an effective wastewater collection and treatment system and adhering with state and federal laws. Click here for the entire ordinance as a PDF file.

Wastewater Treatment
Water Quality (910) 259-5003
After hours and holidays (910) 289-5358

Burgaw has treatment capacity of .75 million gallons a day at its wastewater plant, which discharges unto the Osgood Canal.

The Wastewater Performance Report summarizes treatment and collection system performance throughout town annually.

Water

  • Drinking Water
  • Irrigation/Sprinkler Systems
  • Swimming Pools
  • Utility Easement Clearing & Mowing
  • Water Conservation
  • Water Leaks
  • Water Main Taps & Repairs
  • Water Meter Box
  • Water Meter Installation
  • Water Quality

Drinking Water
Public Works (910) 259-2901

The Town’s water system includes three water towers with a total storage capacity of 675,000 million gallons.

The Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) is an annual report that details the quality of drinking water that Burgaw distributes to its customers. The Town’s annual CCR is available for review in the Town Clerk’s Office in the Town Hall. Or, click here to view the report.

Any changes or problems with drinking water (discoloration, taste or odor) should be reported to the Public Works Department.

Irrigation/Sprinkler Systems
Public Works (910) 259-2901

Town policy requires all irrigation systems be equipped with a backflow prevention device; a separate irrigation/sprinkler meter is optional.

For more information on setting up a separate meter, contact the Customer Service Representative at the Town Hall, (910) 633-3445.

For more information about backflow prevention devices, contact the Public Works Department, (910) 259-2901.

Swimming Pools
Public Works (910) 259-2901

The Town will waive the sewer charge if the customer contacts the Customer Service Representative beforehand and follows the procedure for documenting how much water is used to fill the pool.

  • 24 hours in advance, call customer service at (910) 663-3445 to request a sewer charge waiver. A Public Works technician will come to the home to read the water meter before fill-up.
  • Fill the pool, taking up to 3 days but finishing before 4 P.M. on Friday. A technician will return to read the meter again and determine how much water was used.

The first time you request a sewer charge waiver, provide documentation on the size of the pool and capacity in gallons. Each time you fill your swimming pool, the technician must read the meter beforehand, then re-read it when filled.

Utility Easement Clearing and Mowing
Public Works (910) 259-2901

Utility easements are for the purpose of maintaining the Town’s water and sewer system. These easements must be kept free of tall vegetation, fences, structures, etc. Annually, the Public Works Department traverses the easements for the purpose of inspecting, clearing, and mowing.

Water Conservation
Public Works (910) 259-2901

Water Restrictions

The Town’s Water Shortage and Conservation Ordinance details restrictions by stages 0-4. They range from voluntary conservation measures to a water shortage crisis in which residential use is limited to minimum standards of hygiene and sanitation. See Water Conservation below.

Saving Water and Money

Town of Burgaw’s water rates are structured to encourage efficient use of water. The cost per thousand gallons increases as usage goes up.

Want to save on your monthly utility bill? There are many ways indoors and outdoors to ensure you’re making the best use of what passes through you water meter.

  • Use shower for bathing rather than bathtub and limit shower to no more than five (5) minutes.
  • Limit flushing of toilets by multiple usages.
  • Do not leave faucets running while grooming or rinsing dishes.
  • Limit use of clothes washers and dishwashers and when used, operate fully loaded.
  • Limit lawn watering to that which is necessary for plants to survive.
  • Water shrubbery the minimum required.
  • Limit car washing to commercially operated car washes and gas or electric operated pressure washer.
  • Do not wash down outside areas such as sidewalks, patios, houses and etc.
  • Install water flow restrictive devices in showerheads.
  • Use disposable and biodegradable dishes.

Water Conservation Ordinance

In 2002, the Town Council adopted an ordinance allowing restrictions on lawn irrigation and other non-essential users from May through September. However, these restrictions take effect only when the council votes to implement them through the Water Shortage Management Plan. To view the Town of Burgaw Water Conservation Ordinance, please click here.

Water Leaks
Public Works (910) 259-2901

Obvious or suspected water leaks should be reported immediately to the Public Works Department. Leaks on the yard-side of the meter are the responsibility of the water customer. Leaks on the street-side of the water meter do not affect the reading on your meter because the water does not flow though the mechanism. Repair of leaks on the street-side of the meter is the responsibility of the Town. Please report any waterline breaks or suspected leaks on the public-side of the meter to the Public Works office.

Once the leak has been repaired on the water customer’s side, contact the Customer Service Representative because an adjustment may be made to the sewer portion of the bill. An adjustment is computed based on your most recent six months of water usage and compared to the period of the leak. A copy of the repair bill and a letter stating the nature of the leak should be sent or brought to the Customer Service Representative for an adjustment.

Water Main Taps and Repairs
Public Works (910) 259-2901

Call Public Works to report damaged or broken water mains or to arrange for tapping into a Town water main for service. Tampering with the Town’s water distribution and/or wastewater treatment network is punishable by fine.

Water Meters
Public Works (910) 259-2901

By Town ordinance, it is illegal for you to tamper with a meter. Only employees of the Town of Burgaw may turn on or turn off water meters. The meter is property of the Town of Burgaw. Violators will be prosecuted.

Primary water meters (and other ¾” meters) are supplied by the Town for the cost of the meter deposit. For larger meters, the Public Works Department shall make a determination on the type of meter required, and the cost for the meter is incurred separately by the customer.

Irrigation meters are available for automatic systems used for lawn and landscaping irrigation. Customers are not charged wastewater fees for water flowing through the irrigation meter. Installation of an irrigation meter requires a tap into the Town’s water main. Contact the Customer Service Representative for costs and information.

To report a broken meter box or missing lid, or for more information about water meter boxes, please contact the Public Works Department.

Water Meter Installation (Household and Irrigation)
Public Works (910) 259-2901

After a resident establishes or changes an existing water and sewer account with the Customer Service Representative, the Public Works Department activates or installs water meters for customers. The department then takes monthly readings from each water meter for calculation of a customer’s monthly water and sewer bill. The department uses “touch-wand” technology, a virtually error-free system, for reading water meters and calculating monthly bills. The information collected by scanners from meters is downloaded into the Department computers, and bills are computed.

If you have questions about your water bill, call the Customer Service Representative. The most common cause for unusually high water bills are running toilets or waterline leaks between the meter and the residence. Leaks on the yard-side of the meter are the responsibility of the water customer. Leaks on the street-side of the water meter do not affect the reading on your meter because the water does not flow through the mechanism. Repair of leaks on the street-side of the meter is the responsibility of the Town. Please report any waterline breaks or suspected leaks on the public-side of the meter to the Public Works Department.

There are two basic types of water meters:

  • Primary water meters measure water usage flowing into the residence or business/office. The figures collected from these meters are used to charge customers for the water used, as well as for wastewater treatment of that used water. Water charges are set according to the amount used.
  • Irrigation meters are an option if a resident wishes to use an automatic sprinkler system for lawn and landscaping irrigation. The irrigation meter measures only the water flowing through the mechanism and does not carry the wastewater charge. Installation of a new irrigation meter requires a tap into the Town’s water main. Call the Public Works Department for addition information.

Water Quality
Public Works (910) 259-2901

The Public Utilities Department is responsible for all maintenance of water and wastewater (sewer) facilities. Contact the Public Works Department for additional information.