A human rights crisis in Brunswick County, Brunswick Beacon

Brunswick Beacon, 03.27.25

We are residents of Brunswick County and it has come to our attention (thanks to EarthRights International and the NAACP) that many residents in historically Black neighborhoods in Brunswick County are reliant on well water because county water fees are too expensive, and/or county water lines do not extend to their community.

Many report that their well water smells foul, is polluted with sediment, and discolors their clothing and hair. Because of this, many buy bottled water, which is costly for individuals living on a fixed income, and often requires personal sacrifices; some residents share that they often have to choose between buying bottled water or medication. Many residents who live on streets without water lines also face safety risks because they do not live near a fire hydrant, even though they are required to pay fire fees as part of their property taxes.

Access to water is a human right. This is a human rights crisis in Brunswick County. We encourage the county to extend water lines to all neighborhoods and working with county residents interested in county water services to hook them up to county water lines. Please take the first step to clean, safe drinking water for all by applying for grants through the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality before April 30, 2025.

Jeffrey and Catherine Eighmy

Leland