Water Department Updates - NOV 4, 2024 - County Briefing

Water Department Update: Addressing Turbidity in North Fork Reservoir – November 4, 2024

This recap summarizes the County Briefing meeting held on November 4th, focusing on updates from the Water Department regarding ongoing efforts to resolve high turbidity (cloudiness) in North Fork Reservoir and lift the current boil water notice. The meeting provided a detailed overview of ongoing treatments, new initiatives, and what residents can expect in the coming weeks and months.

The primary focus of the meeting was the ongoing treatment of North Fork Reservoir to reduce turbidity, which has led to a boil water notice for residents. While progress is being made, officials emphasized that resolving the issue will require a sustained effort and patience from the community. A second round of in-reservoir treatment, utilizing specialized "curtains," was recently completed and showed significantly improved results compared to the first round. Turbidity levels have fallen below 19, a positive development, and officials are likely to proceed with a third round of this treatment early next week.

Beyond the in-reservoir treatments, a significant development discussed was the involvement of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). They are implementing a separate project utilizing "mobile treatment units," essentially shipping container-sized systems, designed to treat up to 25 million gallons of water per day. The goal is to have this system operational by late November or early December, although officials cautioned that timelines are subject to weather and procurement challenges. This system will be located in a clearing above the dam, operating 24/7 once construction begins. Importantly, even with improvements in reservoir clarity or the Corps' system becoming operational, lifting the boil water notice won’t be immediate. A comprehensive flushing of the entire water system – pipes and tanks – will take approximately 2.5 to 3 weeks after potable water is reintroduced, followed by extensive testing before the notice can be formally lifted.

Currently, residents may have noticed clearer water in their taps due to a reduction in water flow from North Fork Reservoir. The system is currently operating at 10-15 million gallons per day, compared to the usual 20-25 million, allowing for treated water to be processed through existing filtration systems. This reduced flow is dependent on the continued improvement in reservoir clarity. No formal votes were taken during this meeting, but officials indicated a commitment to pursuing both the in-reservoir treatments and the Corps’ project concurrently.

There was no public comment or community input during this meeting. However, officials repeatedly stressed the importance of continued favorable weather conditions and avoided making any definitive guarantees regarding timelines.

Looking Ahead: Key Action Items & What to Expect

Several key steps are underway, and residents should be aware of the following:

• Corps Project Implementation: The Corps is currently securing materials, equipment, and personnel. Equipment arrival at North Fork Reservoir is expected in the coming weeks.
• Regulatory Approvals: The project requires coordination with state and federal agencies, including the EPA and North Carolina DEQ. A fire safety plan is also being developed due to the proximity of forested areas.
• Sludge Management: The treatment process will generate a significant amount of sludge, potentially requiring off-site trucking as existing capacity may be exceeded.
• System Flushing & Testing: Extensive planning is underway for the system flushing process, which will follow the introduction of potable water.
• Continued Monitoring: The Water Department will continue to closely monitor turbidity levels in North Fork Reservoir and assess the need for further treatment.

Why This Matters to You:

The ongoing efforts to address the turbidity issue directly impact residents' access to safe drinking water. While progress is being made, it’s crucial that citizens continue to adhere to the boil water notice until further notification from the Water Department. Officials are committed to resolving this issue, and residents can stay informed by following updates from the County government.