Drought and eat west farm using ground water to water grape vines. This affects our wells

[Heather Main]

Dear Commissioners

Orange County and most of Nc is experiencing a drought this year. I would like you to consider putting rules in place to limit the use of pumping ground water from wells on crops grown on a farm with exception of hay for livestock. 

Our wells are connected to artesian wells in the county.  I do not want my well to dry up so a farm can use 100s of gallons of ground water. This is what East West grape farms on dairyland road is doing. Using 100s of gallons of water per day for grapes!!

Please look into this and make some regulations that involve measuring the gallon of water used and limiting ground water use. They have ponds they can use. If those ruin dry then they should not use our ground water. If they use ground water it needs to be metered and restricted. Please Make some restrictive rules and violations. 

Thank you. 

Heather Main

Heather Main former soil and water supervisor, elected in Orange County nc

heathe...@gmail.com

919-812-1059

[Jean Hamilton]

Dear Heather Main,

 

On behalf of the Orange County Board of Commissioners (BOCC), thank you for sharing your concerns about water use during this drought. The County may not be able to regulate water use given state rules; however, I will ask staff to follow up with information about what the County can do.

Sincerely,

Jean

 

Jean Hamilton, Chair

Orange County Board of Commissioners

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From: Heather Main <heathe...@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2026 1:48 PM
To: ALL_BOCC_MANAGER_CLERK <OCB...@orangecountync.gov>
Subject: Drought and eat west farm using ground water to water grape vines. This affects our wells

 

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