ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Water at Asheville’s North For Reservoir is clearing and the system’s capacity to push treated water into the system has risen to a little more than 20 million gallons a day, officials said Wednesday.

As of early Wednesday morning, the turbidity reading at North Fork Reservoir had fallen below 15, Buncombe County officials said in a news release. To be safe for the normal treatment process, turbidity of the water needs to fall somewhere 1.5-2 NTUs, or Nephelometric Turbidity Units.

The North Fork Reservoir, which supplies about 80 percent of the water in the Asheville water system, sustained catastrophic damage in Hurricane Helene flooding. A 36-inch emergency bypass line was reconnected to the system and raw water was pumped to customers. In the meantime, crews have been trying to improve water clarity at the reservoir.

ASHEVILLE UPDATES: WORK TO SETTLE SEDIMENT AT RESERVOIR CONTINUES

Crews have been treating the water with aluminum sulfate. And the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is building mobile filtration systems all along the reservoir’s dam.

The third round of in-reservoir treatment was set to start Wednesday after the contractor was delayed. North Fork’s capacity to push treated water into the system has risen to a little more than 20 million gallons a day.

Army Corps of Engineers Interim Pre-Treatment System: The private contractor for the Army Corps of Engineers interim pre-treatment system conducted a site visit Monday. Materials and equipment could start to arrive as early as this weekend. This concurrent, backup project still has a completion timeline of late November/early December.

DeBruhl Treatment Plant (Bee Tree): Water Resources is coordinating with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, USGS and others for the removal of debris from around and within Bee Tree Reservoir along with the rebuilding of key access roads. The facility remains offline.

Boil Water Notice: Every City of Asheville water customer remains under a Boil Water Notice. In the absence of bottled water or water that has been purified, any water intended for consumption should be boiled at least 1 minute before use.

Homeowner grant applications

Buncombe County residents have until this Friday to apply for the 2024 Homeowner Grant Program. Applications can be obtained here or by calling 828-250-5500. Phone support is available in any language.

Qualified homeowners can receive financial assistance for housing-related costs such as property tax bills and other housing costs including mortgage or homeowner’s insurance.

There are several new aspects to this year’s program, including new eligibility requirements, and now mobile-home owners may receive the grants.

Hazard mitigation

Buncombe County residents can receive funding to make their homes more resilient through home projects that reduce the long-term risks and impacts of natural hazards, such as floods, wildfires and storms.

Participation in the program is voluntary, and applications can be made online (here) or in-person (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 12-15 at former Gap store at Asheville Mall, 3 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville).

Staff will be on-site to answer questions and accept applications. No appointment is necessary. Property owners are encouraged to complete the Homeowner HMGP Application before meeting with staff. Please note that all individuals listed on the property deed must sign the application.

To apply online: Homeowners must follow three steps to apply online.

1. Complete the 5-minute Grant Information Request.
2. After receiving an email from a Hazard Mitigation team member, complete and return the application as instructed in the email.
3. Be approved by the local government (town or county) for inclusion in their application to FEMA.

Business grants

The Asheville-Buncombe Rebuilding Together Grant Fund is designed to provide direct grant awards to small businesses in Asheville and Buncombe County that have been severely impacted by Hurricane Helene. Businesses may apply for a grant up to $25,000 to support recovery expenses not covered by insurance or other funding sources. Applications close on Nov.27.

Storm debris

Crews continue to collect between 12,000 and 15,000 cubic yards per day in Buncombe County.

It takes thousands of truckloads to gather 100,000 cubic yards, which means major truck traffic. Residents are asked to be mindful of traffic and large trucks.

Community Care Stations and Water Distribution

Community Care Stations are open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. with showers, laundry and more. All Community Care Stations now have ADA-accessible showers and bathrooms.

The locations are:

  • At Home Store parking lot
  • Big Lots/Innsbrook mall
  • Buncombe County Sports Park
  • Bethel United Methodist
  • Fairview Ingles
  • Swannanoa Ingles
  • Owen Pool
  • Morgan Hill Baptist Church

Water and meals ready to eat are available at distribution sites daily at:

  • Sky Lanes Bowling Alley
  • Black Mountain Ingles
  • Swannanoa Ingles
  • Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center
  • Pack Square Park
  • Buncombe County Sports Park
  • Fairview Ingles

Free vaccines

The Buncombe County Public Health Mobile Team is out this week providing free vaccines. The schedule this week is:

  • Thursday: 2-5 p.m. at the Bounty & Soul market at the former Bi-Lo in Black Mountain.
  • Friday: Noon-6 p.m. – Swannanoa Ingles Community Care Station and Tunnel Road Community Care Station.

Solid waste

Crews are continuing to work on the transition to FCC Environmental from Waste Pro effective Jan. 1. FCC Environmental will host hiring events Tuesday, Nov. 19, and Wednesday, Nov. 20, at the Hilton Garden Inn, 309 College St.

Waste Pro will be running regular routes for trash and recycling where available. Drop-off sites for bagged household trash are open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on:

  • Thursday: Ingles Fairview
  • Friday: North Buncombe Pool

For Helene-related questions, residents can call the One Buncombe Call Center, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, at 828-250-6100.