Asheville Grapples with Water Quality Challenges Post-Storm Helene

Asheville Faces Water Quality Issues Following Storm

Asheville residents, brace yourselves for a little bit of cloudy weather today! Meteorologists report a high of 62°F with a slight chance of rain showers as we head into the night with temperatures dipping to around 54°F. But that’s not all that’s been troubling the city lately; the water quality has become quite the talk of the town.

Water Quality Concerns

Recently, Asheville has been dealing with some significant water quality issues due to the heavy rain brought in by storm Helene. The North Fork Reservoir, which provides water to about 80 percent of the city’s customers, has been under scrutiny as turbidity levels remain unsettlingly high. In simpler terms, that means the water hasn’t been looking quite right, leading to questions about its safety for everyday use.

On October 23, city officials announced they have increased testing efforts to address rising concerns. Water Resources spokesperson Clay Chandler reassured residents that while the water may appear discolored, it is safe for non-drinking usages, such as showering and flushing toilets. “We urge everyone to use bottled water for drinking and cooking,” he emphasized during a recent briefing.

What Exactly is Turbidity?

For anyone unfamiliar, turbidity measures how clear the water is, with higher numbers indicating murkier conditions. Turbidity is measured in Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTUs). Ideally, drinking water should be below 0.30 NTU, but at the North Fork Reservoir, the numbers have remained shockingly high—peaking at around 30 NTUs post-storm. That’s a drastic difference from the usual clarity levels of about 0.03 to 0.05 NTU.

Daily Testing Implementation

Chandler mentioned that the Water Resources Department has ramped up testing and is now examining roughly 35 sampling stations daily, with hopes to push that number to 40. Their focus is on key indicators like total coliform, E. coli, and chlorine levels, all crucial for ensuring public safety. Fortunately, tests show no presence of E. coli, which would raise real red flags.

To tackle the issues at hand, the city is performing a mineral treatment program aimed at improving clarity. Although initial attempts using aluminum sulfate and caustic soda haven’t yielded perfect results—thanks in part to challenging weather conditions—the efforts to mitigate turbidity are ongoing.

Community Support and Updates

The community’s reaction has been understandably mixed, with many folks feeling uneasy about their water quality. “We’re doing everything we can to be transparent with our customers,” stated Chandler, ensuring everyone that the city’s procedures have the full backing from regulatory bodies like the EPA and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.

The water department has also prioritized testing for lead in schools ahead of the new term, reflecting their commitment to children’s safety. While the situation might look tough, Chandler remains optimistic. “We have not exceeded the maximum contaminant limits for aluminum yet, and we are stepping up our treatment efforts,” he said.

Looking Ahead

As Asheville heads into what looks to be another rainy night, the best course of action for residents is to stay informed. The boil water notice currently in effect is aimed to protect public health by addressing aesthetic concerns with the water, rather than indicating a direct threat. For now, we recommend everyone to keep an eye on updates from the city and to use bottled water for drinking and cooking.

While cloudy skies might bring rain, they are also a reminder of the importance of clean and safe drinking water. As Asheville works through this challenging situation, let’s stay supportive and informed, and together we can weather this storm. Until then, enjoy the cozy indoors and perhaps grab a warm cup of tea—made with bottled water, of course!