ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Water is returning to customers close to the North Fork Water Treatment Plant. Catastrophic flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Helene devastated the city’s facility at North Fork Reservoir, which supplies about 80 percent of the area’s drinking water.
City officials said Sunday some customers close to the North Fork facility in Lake Eden and Swannanoa have seen water service return.
Crews are expanding service to Haw Creek and parts of Fairview, a statement from the city said. Customers should remember this water is not safe for drinking from the tap. Water must be vigorously boiled for at least 1 minute before consumption. The water is safe for laundry, showering (do not swallow water while showering), handwashing, washing dishes and flushing toilets.
Service will return slowly and incrementally, moving in a generally westward direction from North Fork toward Asheville, the city’s statement said.
What to do before water service returns
- Flip off the breaker to your water heater.
- Turn off water to your water heater.
- Turn off hot water under your sinks.
- Remove aerator (it typically unscrews) on faucets.
- Turn off the ice maker.
- Turn off water to your whole house filter, if you have one.
What to do when your water service returns
- Flush your home plumbing by running the bathtub’s cold water faucet.
- Your water heater may be turned back on once your home’s plumbing has been flushed.
- It’s safe to flush your toilet after completing steps 1 and 2.
The city of Asheville is not assessing late fees for water bills, sending delinquent notices, creating new bills or doing any cuts-offs for non-payment at this time, the city’s statement said. The city is still accepting payments online, IVR and by mail. Contact customer service at 828-251-1122 if you have billing concerns.