Asheville Residents Gradually Embrace Tap Water Again

Asheville Residents Gradually Embrace Tap Water Again

Asheville, N.C. — Great news for Asheville residents! After a lengthy period without access to clean drinking water, the city has announced that potable water is back on tap. However, the pathway back to using it regularly is a cautious one for many locals.

Water Woes Still on People’s Minds

Jess Johnson, a resident of Asheville, couldn’t help but feel a mix of happiness and caution. “I was in line at the Red Cross to get more water when I heard the news. I kind of cheered in my car!” she said. Despite the good news, she remains somewhat hesitant about the water quality, especially since she lives in a home built before 1988. “I’m a little trepidation about the water,” she explained, referring to worries of heavy metals and lead contamination.

This sentiment isn’t unique to Johnson; many others in the community are taking a similar approach. Steven Goldstein from East Asheville expressed, “If I’m using a dishwasher, it has to be on a sanitized setting. That takes a whopping two and half hours! I am cautious about doing laundry too, making sure everything looks clean.”

Schools Keep Caution in Mind

Even the local schools are keeping water safety a priority. April Dockery, the Chief of Operations for Asheville City Schools, said, “For us, it just means that we can move up the timeline a little bit faster. Yet, we are still going to rely on our bottled water for our staff and students until we can ensure that all our lines have been flushed and do another round of lead testing.”

Students have gotten used to a different routine, and for now, grab-n-go meals are still being served instead of meals prepared in school kitchens. “We’re hoping that we’ll be able to use city water by the time we return from winter break,” Dockery stated, indicating a cautious but optimistic approach.

Returning to Normalcy

However, not everyone is tiptoeing around the issue. Jeri Krassner shared her excitement about returning to normal. “The first time I washed my hands, I felt like there was a step missing!” she laughed. “But I’m just so happy to have it. You forget how easy it was!”

For businesses too, the transition is welcome. Hotels like the Kimpton Hotel Arras have started turning off their bottled water supplies and relying on the city’s water supply once more. “Fifty-three days without water is something I never want to do again,” Johnson added, reflecting on the stress of those weeks. “The difference between hitting the tap to feed the dog versus popping open a box of water is just a breath of fresh air.”

Positive Vibes Ahead

It seems like many Asheville locals feel a wave of relief washing over them. “There’s nothing I love more now than having the water just run over my hands,” said Krassner. “Happy days are here again.” The sentiments of the community blend a mix of joy and caution as everybody gradually finds their way back to using tap water while remaining mindful of the steps necessary to ensure safety.