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    • Up to 100,000 people in the Asheville to Helene area have no running water
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    Up to 100,000 people in the Asheville to Helene area have no running water

    Kathleen William Posted on

    More than half of the people served by Asheville's Water Resources Department remain without access to water since Oct. 13, more than two weeks after devastating flooding in the area.

    The number of people without water in the city's water service area is about 90,000 to 100,000, spokesman Clay Chandler said during a news conference in Buncombe County on Sunday. The water system serves approximately 160,000 people, including customers in Asheville, Buncombe and Henderson counties.

    Officials have said they don't expect water to fully return to customers for at least several weeks.

    Nearly 80% of customers receive water from the North Fork Reservoir, which was heavily impacted by sedimentation due to heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Helene. The water authority began treating the reservoir directly to purify the murky water.

    Additionally, pipes at the North Fork Water Treatment Plant – the system's main facility – were completely destroyed. Helene also broke replacement water pipes that were buried 25 feet underground.

    When asked what the biggest challenge officials face when it comes to getting water back to customers, Chandler replied, “Basically everything.”

    U.S. EPA Administrator Michael Regan and Gov. Roy Cooper visited the reservoir on Oct. 10, the same day water agency crews connected a 36-inch bypass line that had been damaged by the storms. On Saturday, Buncombe County officials announced that water was flowing through the pipe and reaching some customers in Swannanoa, even though the water was highly chlorinated and contained sediment.

    What needs to be done before the water supply is available again?

    Asheville officials have provided instructions on what residents should do before water service becomes available again:

    • Turn off the circuit breaker to the water heater.
    • Turn off the water to the water heater.
    • Turn off the hot water for the sinks.
    • Unscrew faucet aerator.
    • Turn off the ice maker in your refrigerator.

    The boil water advisory remains in effect for the Asheville region

    With water now reaching some customers who rely on the North Fork reservoir, the city reminded customers Friday that the tap water is not drinkable and they must boil it for at least a minute before consuming. A boil water advisory for North Fork water means the water contains confirmed contaminants.

    The water is suitable for cleaning, for example washing, showering (do not put in your mouth), washing dishes and flushing the toilet.

    Customers receiving water from the Mills River Treatment Plant are subject to a boil water advisory. Although there are no confirmed contaminants, officials have said there is reason to believe they exist. Regardless of whether it is an advisory or a recommendation to boil water, the action is the same: boil the water vigorously for at least a minute before consumption.

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    Kathleen William
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