The Future of Water Quality in North Carolina

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Sheryl Brock is a student in the Masters of Coastal and Ocean Policy program at UNC Wilmington. She graduated from Methodist University in 2019 with a BS in Biology, and Environmental and Occupational Management. Sheryl combines her knowledge of water quality standards and analytical techniques to convey restoration plan capabilities in hopes of interpreting policy implementations to better serve our impaired waters.


Brunswick County is known as the fastest growing county in North Carolina, rising from just 1,182 acres to 16,885 acres developed over the past 30 years. As development continues to rise in Brunswick County, North Carolina, so does the percentage of impaired waters in the area; in particular, the Lockwood Folly River. In coordination with the Clean Water Act, the state of North Carolina has issued numerous restoration plans in hopes of rehabilitating the river to a suitable recreational waterbody. Loss of shell fishing revenue and the political backlash from fisherman are the largest issues driving the need for Lockwood Folly River restoration plans. North Carolina alone contributed $4.0 million in 2016 to the shellfish industry, steadily increasing value as the demand of shellfish expands.


Shellfish harvest closures indicate that bacteria in the water such as, fecal coliform, are too high for the harvest of species. Because shellfish are filter-feeders that carry trace elements of the water they live in, individuals that choose to consume raw shellfish increase their chance of contamination with E. coli if bacteria levels are high. Symptoms of consuming infected shellfish include abdominal cramping, diarrhea, gas, fatigue, and fever. The estimated economic impact on local and regional economies, due to health-related concerns, is in the millions of dollars.

Stormwater pipe discharging into Lockwood Folly River

The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries Shellfish Sanitation and Recreational Water Quality Section chief, Shannon Jenkins, reported in 2019 that heavy rainfall events over the last 5 years is what has caused the closure of 255 shellfish acres in Lockwood Folly River. However, research has found that the harmful bacteria in the Lockwood Folly watershed come from stormwater runoff, septic tank leakage, animal waste, and groundwater flushing events.

Brunswick County is characterized by sandy coastal soils that are poorly suited for wastewater treatment yet contains excessive densities of septic systems. Because the county faced legal challenges when looking to advance sewer services, the management tactic changed from central sewage facilities to a stormwater management approach. 

To return the water quality to a state that will allow for fishable and swimmable waters, enough stormwater must be contained to mimic conditions found when just 1% of the area was developed. An effective strategy to mitigate water quality issues needs to contain a set of goals, objectives, and policies that adhere to best land use practices. 

If Brunswick County wants to restore the river to the EPA standards they must consider reputable changes to infrastructure and stormwater management. Restoration plans are only successful if the agency utilizes all recommendations to improve water quality and not just the most equitable. If the trend for development continues along the watershed, North Carolina will continue to lose the millions of dollars in shellfish revenue they are bringing in, as well as continue to affect water quality. 

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