The short version: Brunswick County is weighing sewer plant expansions that county figures put in the hundreds of millions of dollars, after a state rule left new sewer line extension permits on hold for much of this year. Commissioners reviewed the options on October 19 but made no final decision. For buyers and sellers from Leland to Ocean Isle Beach, the takeaway is that new-home supply in parts of the county may arrive more slowly than the approved plans suggest.

What's Happening

Brunswick County runs two large regional wastewater plants: the Northeast Brunswick plant in Navassa, which serves the fast-growing Leland side of the county, and the West Brunswick plant in Supply, whose system also serves Oak Island, Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach and Shallotte.

Physically, neither plant is full. The issue is how capacity is counted. A 2023 state law, Senate Bill 673, requires state regulators to count the flow promised to approved-but-unbuilt homes as if it were already in the pipes. Port City Daily reported earlier this year that the county has roughly 48,000 approved homes in its pipeline, and with so many still waiting to be built, that math put both systems over the legal limit for fast-growing counties: 110% of capacity, or 115% when an expansion is underway. At the county's request, the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality has held new sewer line extension permits rather than deny them. That has stalled projects that still need new sewer lines.

On October 19, county utilities staff walked commissioners through a range of expansion scenarios. The Navassa plant expansion is furthest along. It would raise capacity from about 4.975 to 8.725 million gallons per day, and a key state discharge permit is expected in December. Port City Daily reports the Navassa project carries an estimated $173 million price tag, with construction targeted to begin in August 2027. The bigger questions concern the western and southern system, where options range from modest to very large. Port City Daily reports that staff will bring a draft allocation policy back in November or December, including possible expiration dates on idle permits.

What This Means If You're Buying

  • Existing homes gain appeal. A resale home that is already connected to sewer, whether in an established Leland community like Brunswick Forest or Mallory Creek or on Oak Island, isn't waiting on a new permit. For buyers who want certainty, that matters.
  • Ask hard questions on new construction. If you're considering a lot or a to-be-built home in a newer section, ask the builder whether sewer service is already permitted for that phase. Get timelines in writing where you can.
  • Look at the whole cost of ownership. Expansion costs are shared through development fees and utility rates. Ask about current tap or impact fees on a new build, and budget for the possibility of higher utility costs over time.
  • Waterfront still has its own checklist. Near the Intracoastal Waterway or the Lockwood Folly River, confirm the flood zone, get an elevation certificate and an insurance quote, and ask whether a property is on sewer or septic.

What This Means If You're Selling

  • Lead with "connected and ready." If your home is on county sewer, say so clearly in your listing. It answers a question many buyers will now be asking.
  • Your competition may be thinner than expected. If new phases near you are slowed, resale homes along the U.S. 17 and N.C. 211 corridors may face less builder competition for a while. We'd still price carefully, because buyers remain value-conscious and rates and inventory move the market more than any single policy.
  • Have your documents ready. Utility bills, any septic records, flood zone details and insurance history all help a higher-end buyer move forward with confidence.

What This Means for Homeowners

Reporting so far doesn't indicate any change to service for homes already connected to the system. The bigger long-term questions are cost and growth. Brunswick County's own leaders have voiced concern about how much of the bill lands on current customers. It's also worth watching how the county balances new homes against capacity for commercial development, which affects everything from new restaurants to medical offices near you. Commission meetings in November and December are the place to follow the decisions, and our team will keep an eye on them too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a building moratorium in Brunswick County?
No formal moratorium has been adopted. New sewer line extension permits have been on hold for much of this year, which has slowed projects that still need new sewer lines.

Which areas are affected?
Both regional systems: the Navassa plant on the Leland side, and the West Brunswick system that also serves Oak Island, Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach and Shallotte.

Does this affect homes already on county sewer?
Reporting has focused on new connections, not existing service. Long-term utility rates are a fair question to keep an eye on.

When will this be resolved?
No final timeline is set. The Navassa expansion is furthest along, and the larger western plan is still being decided.

Questions about how this affects your home? Call the Jennifer Bullock Team at RE/MAX Executive, 910-547-8535.

Ready to look? See Leland homes for sale  |  See Oak Island homes for sale

Related: Southport NC Real Estate: What the Southport Crossing Townhome Plan Means for NC 211  |  829 New Homes Approved Off River Road in Winnabow

Sources: