Asheville Works to Clear Water Murkiness in North Fork Reservoir
ASHEVILLE, NC – As the city navigates a challenging week, Asheville Water Resources is tackling the murky waters of the North Fork Reservoir. With about 80 percent of the city’s water customers relying on this vital source, the stakes are high for achieving clear, drinkable water.
Clouds May Part, but Water Turbidity Remains
On a day when cloudy skies are expected to give way to some sunshine later, the city continues to grapple with the effects of Tropical Storm Helene. Since the storm stirred up sediment in the reservoir back on September 27, Asheville residents have found themselves under a boil water notice. But relief may be on the horizon as city crews are working around the clock to restore the water to its usual clarity.
Clay Chandler, the spokesperson for Asheville Water Resources, described this week as “a really big week” for the team. “Right now, we’re in the process of installing a unique in-lake filtration system made up of three layers of suspended curtains designed to capture the floating debris in the reservoir,” he shared during a daily briefing.
Innovative Solutions in Progress
Chandler explained that the curtains will aid in the water treatment process by preventing suspended particles from mixing back into the water. “After we get the curtains set up, we’ll have a company from Georgia come in to dose the reservoir with aluminum sulfate, which will help coagulate the sediment so it can sink to the bottom, leaving clearer water on top,” he added.
Traditionally, the North Fork Reservoir has provided reliable and clear drinking water, thanks to its heavily forested watershed. But the challenges from the storm have turned it into an unexpectedly muddy source. “It’s kind of like we’re learning as we go,” Chandler admitted, reflecting on the city’s first-time use of this particular curtain installation.
Measuring Progress, but No Clear Timeline Yet
As for the current water clarity, Chandler noted that the turbidity, or how cloudy the water is, was measured at 23.3 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTUs) on Sunday—down from a previous high of 26. “It’s coming down, but obviously, it’s not dropping fast enough,” he said. The city’s target is to reach a turbidity of 1.5 to 2 NTUs for treating the water safely.
Despite the positive trend, the timeline for when the water will be safe to consume again remains uncertain. Chandler mentioned that the city would aim to complete the second round of treatment by late Friday or early Saturday, but he also cautioned that there would be no immediate answers. “I wish we could give a better timeline, but it’s just a total unknown right now,” he said. “Once we gauge the effectiveness of our current efforts, we’ll have a clearer picture.”
Continued Caution for Residents
As the city hastily implements those treatment strategies, Asheville residents must continue boiling their water until further notice. While the water is safe for flushing toilets and showering, consuming it remains prohibited. “We’re treating the water with chlorine to make it safe for other uses, but we advise everyone to be cautious while the boil notice is in effect,” said Chandler.
Asheville has ramped up water testing during this recovery period, checking for minerals like aluminum, iron, and manganese, which can contribute to the water’s discoloration. While these minerals are generally safe in small amounts, their presence has triggered concern among the city’s water managers.
Looking Ahead
Chandler noted that if the second round of treatments proves successful, there might be a need for a third round to ensure they hit their turbidity goals, emphasizing that innovation and adaptability are key during this challenging time. “We will continue to monitor and adjust our strategies as we learn more,” he concluded.
As the clouds clear and the sun peeks through the Asheville sky, residents are hopeful that brighter days—including clearer water—are on the way.
