ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Water service has moved into other areas around Asheville as crews continue to repair pipes almost three weeks after Tropical Storm Helene caused catastrophic damage to the city’s North Fork Reservoir and water treatment plant.
City officials said North Asheville and West Asheville began receiving water Tuesday.
Service in all areas will expand as tanks are filled, pump stations are activated and water pipe breaks or leaks are found and repaired, city officials said in a statement Wednesday. Homes and businesses in higher elevations will receive service after areas in lower elevations.
Some areas still need significant repairr to the water lines before service returns.
Water service for Eastmoor neighborhood
Helene washed out the 6-inch line that serves the Eastmoor neighborhood. Contractors from TP Howard arrived on site Wednesday to begin installing a temporary line that will provide reduced water pressure to roughly 75 homes in that area while a permanent water pipe is put in place, city officials said.
Homes in the lower elevations of Eastmoor will receive service before homes in the higher elevations.
After flushing sediment, homes in the lower elevations should employ water conservation measures to ensure homes in higher elevations can receive water.
Water service for Bee Tree
A water pipe that serves about 40 homes in the Bee Tree area will require backfilling for stabilization before it can handle water pressure. Water Resources crews should complete that either late Wednesday or early Thursday.
Sediment remediation in North Fork Reservoir
The in-lake sediment treatment process to clear the highly murky water at North Fork began Tuesday afternoon. Standard water treatment chemicals are being used to help bind with the sediment to remove it from the water.
Boil Water Notice
Water Resources issued a Boil Water Notice to all customers, including those served by Mills River. This was done out of an abundance of caution, as North Fork is online and there are zones, especially along the service boundaries, where water from the two plants can potentially mix, city officials said.
The bottom line for all customers is the same: Any water intended for consumption (drinking, cooking, brushing teeth) should be boiled for at least 1 minute. Water out of the tap is safe for handwashing (unless hands are being cleaned for food preparation), showering (be careful not to swallow water while showering) and laundry. It is safe for washing dishes, as long as a dishwasher’s temperature reaches a minimum of 170 degrees, which typically happens when the “sanitize” setting is activated.
A comprehensive list of frequently asked questions can be found here.
The public is encouraged to visit the city’s recovery resources page and news update page.