In January 2018, Water. Desalination + reuse (Faversham House) reported that a desalination scheme had split the community in Brunswick County, North Carolina. H2GO had paused construction in June 2017 after 900 residents signed a petition. Following the board election in November 2017, three of five members opposed the scheme. Beforehand, the outgoing board had moved the utility's assets to the Town of Belville, host of the plant. A court upheld this and froze the situation by restraining order. Opponents allied with Leland planned a motion for February 2018.
The report showed how local elections and court proceedings could block a municipal desalination project even after building work had begun.