Water Department Updates - OCT 14, 2024 - County Briefing

Water Department Update: Restoring Asheville's Water Service - October 14, 2024

This recap summarizes the County Briefing held on October 14, 2024, focusing on updates from the Water Department regarding the ongoing restoration of Asheville's water service following recent system damage. The meeting provided a detailed overview of the progress, challenges, and what residents can expect in the coming days and weeks.

The primary focus of the meeting was on the status of the North Fork Reservoir, Asheville’s main water source. Officials confirmed that highly chlorinated water is currently being directly fed into the distribution system, with a flow of 12 million gallons per day. Importantly, streams feeding into the reservoir are now flowing with clean water, and efforts continue to treat the reservoir itself to improve clarity and allow for standard treatment processes. The restoration process is a massive undertaking, encompassing 54 pressure zones, 1,800 miles of city pipes, and the need to fill 37 water storage tanks—a process requiring approximately 21 million gallons. Officials repeatedly emphasized the sheer scale of this task, highlighting that restoration will be a slow and incremental process.

Significant progress was reported in restoring water service, with a major milestone achieved on Sunday, October 13th when water was supplied to areas west of Swannanoa. Water has reached Hall Creek Junction, a vital distribution point enabling further expansion throughout the system. The next phases involve extending service to Fairview, higher elevation areas of South Asheville, and eventually downtown/North Asheville. However, the restoration is encountering numerous water main breaks, often in difficult-to-reach locations due to terrain. Residents were strongly encouraged to report any observed water main breaks to the Water Customer Service line (828-251-1122), as officials acknowledged they may not be immediately aware of all issues. Following restoration, crews are actively flushing hydrants and residents are asked to participate by flushing their private lines (bathtub or outdoor faucet) for about 15 minutes to clear sediment and improve water quality within their homes.

A boil water notice remains in effect for both the North Fork distribution area and the Mills River service area. Residents are advised to boil water vigorously for one minute before using it for drinking, cooking, or brushing teeth. Bottled water is recommended as a safer alternative whenever possible. No formal votes were taken during the briefing; instead, it served to provide a comprehensive update and outline the restoration plan. While there was no direct public comment, officials acknowledged the crucial role residents play in identifying and reporting water main breaks.

Looking ahead, several key action items were identified: continued treatment of the North Fork Reservoir; phased expansion of water service to various areas throughout Asheville; prompt repair of discovered water main breaks; ongoing system flushing, with resident participation encouraged; and rigorous bacteriological testing to ensure water safety. A map indicating areas under the boil water notice, along with those nearing restoration, was provided as a visual aid. Residents can expect the process to continue gradually and are reminded to report any suspected water main breaks to 828-251-1122 and to continue using boiled or bottled water until further notice.

This restoration effort is a significant undertaking impacting all Asheville residents, and the Water Department's commitment to transparency and resident involvement is crucial during this challenging time.