Asheville Navigates Boil Water Alert as Conditions at North Fork Reservoir Improve

Asheville Faces Boil Water Alert Amid Improving Water Conditions

Asheville, N.C. is currently navigating through a challenging time with a boil water alert still in effect for local water customers. But there’s a silver lining! Water conditions are making headway, especially at the North Fork Reservoir, where things are starting to look more promising.

What’s Happening at North Fork Reservoir?

As of the morning of Friday, November 8, the turbidity levels—or the general murkiness—at North Fork Reservoir have seen an improvement, sitting below 17 and peaking around 17.4. This is quite the upgrade compared to earlier in the week! This positive change comes as the water treatment plant gears up for a third round of treatment, expected early next week. The good news does not stop there. The plant is now able to boost the amount of treated water sent to customers, bringing it up to a mighty 19 million gallons per day!

Water Main Breaks and Repairs

However, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Recently, a significant water main break occurred on Patton Avenue, affecting the water distribution system. Thankfully, this has been repaired, and the water flow has stabilized. Clay Chandler from the Water Resources Department mentioned that no raw water was being pushed into the system until late afternoon, making the situation more manageable.

Future Developments for Water Treatment

Looking ahead, the Army Corps of Engineers has some exciting plans. They’ve awarded contracts for an additional external filtration process at North Fork, which could start operating by late November or early December. The contractor is scheduled to be on-site next week, and Chandler points out that while progress is happening, it still requires time and careful precision.

Bee Tree Reservoir Update

Bee Tree Reservoir, on the other hand, is still out of commission. A recent landslide brought down some impressive-sized boulders—about the size of dump trucks—into the water. Right now, the turbidity level there is around 30, which means it’s not treatable. Additionally, there are reports of possible tornado-related damage affecting trees around both North Fork and Bee Tree sites, and this could have future implications for the water quality.

The Importance of Boil Water Alerts

Now, for those who might find the daily Boil Water Alerts a bit tiresome, there’s a reason for this. Chandler emphasized their purpose, even if they appear repetitive. The City of Asheville is under scrutiny by the EPA and must demonstrate that residents were adequately warned about the necessity to boil water for one minute before consumption. If deemed insufficient in their warnings, the city could face penalties. Hence, these alerts will continue until the situation is resolved.

A Community Comes Together

Given the circumstances, there’s a strong sense of community surrounding the residents of Asheville. Many are coming together to keep each other informed and share resources. The water resource department is working hard to navigate these challenges and improve conditions for all. Understanding and patience will be crucial as the city continues to restore safe drinking water.

So, while Asheville faces a few bumps in the road, the future looks more promising as crews work diligently to ensure residents can enjoy clean water again. Stay safe, everyone, and don’t forget to boil that water!