What is a septic system?

A conventional septic system is an on-site wastewater treatment system that lies underground somewhere on your property. The resulting water from your home use is then distributed through a system of buried pipes to join the  groundwater. All of your sinks, toilets, and laundry drain into this system to be processed with a bacterial treatment.

Why are septic systems important?

Septic systems allow for wastewater treatment in areas where a city sewer system is not possible, like many areas of Nags Head. 

Not caring for your septic system properly can cause it to malfunction. Below are a few tips.

1. Know your system!  Get familiar with how your septic system works and where it’s located.
2. Routine Inspections! Have your system inspected every one to three years. We offer free septic system inspections through our Todd D. Krafft Septic Health Initiative!
3. Regular Pumping! Ensure your system is pumped every three to five years, depending on use.
4. Spread out water usage, especially laundry! A large amount of water usage can overload your system; spread out your washing throughout the week and limit shower times.
5. Put Trash in the Trash! All trash and food waste should go in the trash can - not down the toilets or sinks!
6. Use Chemicals Wisely! Harsh cleaning chemicals can harm the beneficial bacteria that make your septic system function. This includes bleach and antibacterial soap use.
7.  Protect your drain field! Avoid driving or parking on top of it, and be cautious of planting trees nearby as the roots can clog the system.

Regular maintenance of functional septic systems helps to keep our community safe and healthy.

Septic health is community health!

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under grant no. DGE-2125684. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Beach driving permits for the October 1, 2024 through April 30, 2025 season are on sale now.

Four-wheel drive, state inspected vehicles with a proper Town of Nags Head permit, are allowed on the beach in the Town of Nags Head only from October 1 through April 30 each year. Driving times are thirty minutes prior to sunrise through thirty minutes after sunset daily.

Modified utility vehicles ("MUTV"), as described in N.C.G.S. 20-4.01(27), shall not be considered an "eligible" vehicle regardless of whether the MUTV is registered or licensed in any state.

The seasonal beach driving permit fee is $50 for Nags Head residents and property owners and $100 for all others. 

As a reminder, Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills no longer have a beach driving permit reciprocity agreement. Therefore, a Nags Head permit only allows you to drive on the beach in Nags Head not including National Park beach areas. A Kill Devil Hills beach driving permit only allows you to drive on the beach in Kill Devil Hills.  

Substantial growth in Nags Head's beach population and the increased popularity of the area during the shoulder season has created more conflicts between beach drivers and those on the beach on foot. We are continually monitoring conditions and have started closing the beach in certain sections based on population. Beach width has also been an issue in the northern end of town, requiring staff to open and close certain beach sections to driving several times during the beach driving season. 

**Nags Head residents and property owners must obtain their $50 permit at Nags Head's town hall. The $100 permits will be available for purchase from Nags Head's town hall, online at Nags Head's web site, and at various tackle shops in the town. 

The Town of Nags Head will soon embark on significant stormwater infrastructure improvements, funded by a $2,356,910 grant from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. These upgrades aim to address stormwater and flooding issues in the northern part of Nags Head, aligning with the Town’s comprehensive stormwater management strategy.

The funding will be used to install a new stormwater system near Wrightsville Avenue and Nags Head Elementary School. This system will pump water to an infiltration feature that will be constructed beneath the Bonnett Street public beach access parking lot, which will be reconstructed as part of the project. These upgrades are designed to reduce flooding caused by heavy rainfall, low-lying terrain, dense development, and rising groundwater in the area.

Read more on our website.

Date: Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Time: 5-7 PM
Location: Dowdy Park, 3005 South Croatan Highway

Join us for an evening of community fun and engagement at this year’s National Night Out! This annual event is a fantastic opportunity to promote police-community partnerships and foster a sense of togetherness.

Event Highlights

• Bounce House: Kids can enjoy some bouncy fun in a safe environment.
• Emergency Vehicles Display: Get an up-close look at the vehicles our first responders use every day.
• Seatbelt Simulator: Experience the importance of seatbelt safety firsthand.
• Various Vendors and Kids Activities: Enjoy a variety of activities and booths that cater to all ages.
• Free Food: The police department will be providing delicious food for everyone to enjoy.

Why Attend?

National Night Out is all about bringing law enforcement and neighbors together under positive circumstances. It’s a great way to strengthen community bonds and show support for our local police department.

Parking is available at Nags Head Elementary School.

We hope to see you all there for an evening of fun, food, and community spirit!

Join us for an exciting and educational evening at the annual Fire Prevention Week Open House hosted by our Fire and Rescue Department! This family-friendly event is packed with activities and displays that promise fun and learning for all ages.

Date: Thursday, October 10, 2024
Time: 5-8 PM
Location: Douglas A. Remaley Fire Station 16, 5314 S. Croatan Hwy

Event Highlights

• Equipment Displays: Get up close and personal with the latest fire and rescue equipment. Learn how these tools help keep our community safe.
• Youth Firefighter Agility Course: Kids can experience what it’s like to be a firefighter by navigating our agility course designed just for them.
• Bounce House: Let the little ones burn off some energy in our fun and safe bounce house.
• Exhibits: Explore various exhibits that provide valuable information on fire safety and prevention.
• Take-Home Goodies: We have cool giveaways for both kids and adults to remember the day.

Meet Your Heroes

This is a fantastic opportunity to meet and greet the brave first responders who serve our community. Learn about their daily routines, ask questions, and express your gratitude for their dedication.

Free Treats

Enjoy complimentary hotdogs, cotton candy, and popcorn while you explore the event. It’s our way of saying thank you for your support!

Don’t miss out on this wonderful event that combines fun, education, and community spirit. We look forward to seeing you there!

For more information, feel free to contact the Nags Head Fire and Rescue Department at 252-441-5909.

While the summer events at Dowdy Park are slowing down, we still have free yoga on Tuesday mornings at 7:30 am and movie nights planned for October 4 and November 1. The movies begin about 20-30 minutes after sunset.

Don't miss out on the fun!

Want to receive a text or email if the schedule changes, such as due to bad weather? Subscribe to receive notification about the events at Dowdy Park on our website. Sign in with your email address and choose to receive news flashes about Dowdy Park events. 

Learn more on the Dowdy Park events web page.