If you live in Hampstead or Scotts Hill and get your water from Pender County Utilities, you may have noticed it now and then: a faint sulfur smell, a little discoloration, or an orange tint on fixtures over time. That’s not your imagination, and the county is putting real money into fixing it. At its October 5, 2026 meeting, the Pender County Board of Commissioners approved a well filtration project for the five county wells that serve the U.S. 17 corridor. Here’s what the project is, what it means for homeowners, and what buyers looking in eastern Pender County should ask about water.
What Pender County Approved
According to the county’s own bid posting for the Well Filtration Project (RFP 26-451), Pender County Utilities has built five groundwater wellhouses along U.S. 17 in Scotts Hill and Hampstead that supply drinking water to homes and businesses in the area. The county wrote that iron and hydrogen sulfide in that groundwater have led to customer complaints, and that it plans to install a pressure filter system at each wellhouse. The work is set to happen one wellhouse at a time, so construction is only underway at a single site at once.
At the October 5 meeting, commissioners approved the contract with AC Schultes. Meeting summaries report that the original budget of about $725,000 rose by roughly $446,000 after bidding, for an estimated total of about $1.171 million, paid from the county’s utility funds. A Citizen Portal recap from October 6 says Utilities Director James Proctor described the system as resin filtration meant to remove organics, iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide, and to cut down on trihalomethanes (byproducts that form when chlorine reacts with organic material), bringing those sources back in line with state standards.
Why the Wells Matter
Port City Daily reported on August 20, 2026 that Proctor told commissioners well water isn’t the same quality as water from the county’s surface water treatment plant, and that once resin filters are in, he expects the well water to “rival the surface water plant.” The same article noted that Pender County has tested its drinking water for PFAS since 2020, with November 2022 results showing detectable PFAS in roughly a third of 188 sampled wells and a cluster along the U.S. 17 corridor. A county spokesperson told the paper the filters remove minerals and contaminants, including PFAS.
What It Means for Hampstead and Scotts Hill Homeowners
For most county water customers along U.S. 17, this is good news that should show up quietly over time: fewer odor and staining complaints, and water that’s more consistent with what other county customers get. A few practical points:
- Expect a phased rollout. Because the county plans to work one wellhouse at a time, improvements may arrive in stages rather than all at once.
- Keep an eye on county notices. Construction and startup can bring short-term flushing or pressure changes. Pender County Utilities posts updates on the county website.
- Rethink extra filtration later. If you installed a whole-house filter or softener because of iron or sulfur, it may be worth re-testing your tap water after the upgrades are done before you replace cartridges or equipment.
If You Sell Soon
Buyers notice water. Rust stains in sinks, toilets, and showers, or a sulfur smell when a faucet runs, can raise questions at a showing or inspection. Cleaning fixtures before you list, keeping receipts for any filtration equipment, and being ready to explain your water source (county system or private well) makes the conversation easy. A county investment in better water quality is a reasonable talking point too.
What Buyers in Eastern Pender County Should Ask
Hampstead, Scotts Hill, and the communities along U.S. 17 remain popular with buyers who want room to breathe and an easy drive to Wilmington. Water service varies a lot from one property to the next, so make it part of your due diligence:
- Is the home on county water, a community system, or a private well? The listing, the seller, and the county can confirm.
- For private wells, consider testing for bacteria, iron, and other contaminants during your due diligence period. The Pender County health department can point you to testing options.
- What about sewer? Many homes in the area use septic systems, so ask for septic permits and service records.
- Is there existing treatment equipment? Find out what it is, how old it is, and what upkeep it needs.
The Bigger Picture for Pender County Water
The filtration project is one piece of a larger conversation. Port City Daily reported in August that Pender County Utilities serves about 11,000 of the county’s roughly 72,000 residents, and commissioners have been weighing options to extend water to rural western Pender. WWAY reported on October 5, 2026 that the board directed staff to submit grant documentation for the West Pender Water Project. As the county grows, water and sewer capacity will keep shaping where new homes go and how existing neighborhoods are served.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which homes does the well filtration project affect?
The county says it covers five Pender County Utilities wellhouses along the U.S. 17 corridor in Scotts Hill and Hampstead. Homes on private wells aren’t served by those wells.
When will the work be done?
The county hasn’t published a firm completion date in the sources we reviewed. Work is planned one wellhouse at a time, so check Pender County Utilities for the latest schedule.
Will this change my water bill?
Reports from the October 5 meeting say the project is funded from the county’s utility budget. We haven’t seen any announced rate change tied to it, but rates are set by the county, so check with Pender County Utilities for current rates.
Should I still test the water before buying a home in Hampstead?
Yes, especially if the home is on a private well. Testing is inexpensive peace of mind and fits easily into your due diligence period.
Buying or Selling in Hampstead?
From water and septic questions to finding the right neighborhood off U.S. 17, we’re here to help you make a confident move in eastern Pender County. Connect with Aspyre Collective about buying or selling in Hampstead, and we’ll walk you through what matters for the homes you’re considering.
