Asheville Launches $39 Million Filtration Project to Combat Water Quality Issues

The City of Asheville Tackles Water Quality Challenges with New Filtration System

Asheville, a vibrant city nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is currently navigating through a significant water quality challenge. While the city has successfully restored potable water to its 63,000 customers, the issue of turbidity at its main reservoir, North Fork, continues to pose a problem. Turbidity refers to the cloudiness or haziness of a fluid caused by large numbers of individual particles, which can impact water treatment processes.

To address this pressing issue, significant action is underway. This week marks the start of a $39 million six-month project led by the Army Corps of Engineers, aimed at installing a mobile filtration system at the North Fork Reservoir. This initiative is a much-needed lifeline for the residents of Asheville, as North Fork Reservoir is responsible for supplying water to approximately 80% of the city’s population.

New Filtration System Coming Soon

Diving into the details, Asheville Water Resources spokesperson Clay Chandler expressed optimism during a briefing about Tropical Storm Helene. He mentioned that testing of the filtration system was set to commence this week and it is anticipated to be operational by Friday. The project, conducted by a contractor, aims to run continuously at the North Fork Reservoir, delivering a starting production of about 5 million gallons per day. Gradually, this output is expected to ramp up to meet the average daily demand of 20-25 million gallons.

Chandler shared insights on the stability of the water supply, indicating, “While North Fork has been able to meet system demand on its own for several weeks, we’re still one snowstorm or particularly windy weather event away from turbidity becoming unmanageable for our existing treatment processes.” He emphasized how the Corps of Engineers’ system would act as a crucial safety net for the community.

Understanding Turbidity Issues

For context, the turbidity situation stems from extreme flooding caused by Tropical Storm Helene in late September, which significantly impacted the reservoir. Before implementation of the new project, turbidity levels soared to 79 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTUs), with normal levels around 1. Thankfully, through several in-lake chemical treatments and the strategic use of “turbidity curtains,” officials succeeded in reducing levels to about 12.7 NTUs by Monday.

The city has been proactive in tackling this problem. Their strategy has involved multiple applications of coagulants and adjustments to the water’s pH to foster sediment settling and improve clarity. While positive changes have been seen, progress has been slow, and turbidity levels had persistently remained in the 20s through October.

A Bright Future Ahead

Fortunately, there is hope on the horizon. Chandler pointed out a natural phenomenon known as the “seasonal flip.” Cold temperatures can trigger this shift in water layers, which effectively redistributes substances in the reservoir. He indicated that both the North Fork and Bee Tree Reservoir are expected to experience this seasonal flip soon. Remarkably, after its recent flip, Bee Tree saw its turbidity drop from near 500 to below 100.

With federal support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) covering the cost of the filtration system, Asheville can look forward to a steady supply of clean, safe water. The Army Corps of Engineers is set to deliver the filtration system right on schedule, adhering perfectly to their timeline.

Asheville’s commitment to providing safe drinking water to its residents remains strong, and with the combination of innovative filtration technology and nature’s own processes, the city is poised to emerge from this challenge with improved water quality for everyone. As the local community rallies together, it’s clear that when it comes to tackling these difficulties, teamwork and determination are at the forefront of Asheville’s response. Local stakeholders and residents alike can breathe a bit easier, knowing that solutions are not just on the horizon—they’re actively being implemented.