Water Main Break in Asheville Plaza Wreaks Havoc on Businesses and Vehicles
On August 8, 2024, an unexpected water main break into the River Ridge plaza in Asheville unleashed far-reaching repercussions impacting local businesses and causing considerable damage to parked vehicles. In particular, the Asheville Humane Thrift Store, a local business within the plaza, was significantly affected by the unfortunate incident.
On-The-Ground Scenario
Caitlin Bingham, an employee at the Asheville Humane Thrift Store, shared her firsthand experience, recounting how she was alerted to the water break by a concerned co-worker. “It was around 4:30 p.m. when my colleague rushed to me, visibly alarmed, asking where I had parked that day. With the water main dangerously close to the parking lot, she was worried about the safety of my vehicle. Fortunately, I had parked elsewhere that day,” Bingham recalled.
A quick investigation confirmed her co-worker’s claims. Stepping outside, Bingham saw debris flying around and realized the severity of the water main break.
Damage and Disruptions
The water main break caused significant damage to numerous vehicles. An unfortunate vehicle owner, Maia M., spent nearly an hour on the phone with Geico arranged for the repair of her broken windshield caused by the high-pressured water.
Fire officials and maintenance crews were immediately dispatched to the site to mitigate the damage and initiate damage control measures.
Cause of the Water Main Break
Trying to pinpoint the cause of the incident, Clay Chandler from the City of Asheville Water Resources Department proposed two possible reasons. “One is topography – some parts of the city are way higher in elevation than others, leading to pressure differences. The other reason could be the age of our underground water infrastructure. Many are over 50 years old and have been subject to decades of wear and tear,” Chandler explained.
Impact on Local Businesses
The incident has left several businesses in the local precinct without a functional water supply. “Some businesses in the vicinity of the water main break are experiencing water outage,” Chandler confirmed, adding that the estimated timeframe to complete the repair was yet to be determined.
Business Preparedness amid the Crisis
Local businesses have been gearing up to face the challenge head-on. “Anticipating a possible water shortage, we filled up our buckets and our boss bought several gallons of water as a precaution,” added Bingham from the Asheville Humane Thrift Store.
As the city works to repair the damage to the water main and restore normalcy in the River Ridge plaza, its businesses and residents strive to manage the best they can under the trying circumstances.
