Asheville Reports Positive Water Quality Test Results Amid Increased Demand for Testing

Asheville’s Water Quality Results Bring Encouraging News

In Asheville, good news regarding the city’s water quality has just been announced, bringing a sigh of relief to many local residents. This Monday, Asheville’s Water Resources Department shared results from the first round of lead testing conducted at homes across the city, following recent concerns raised after lead was detected in seven local schools.

Testing Demand Surges

Since November 14, when the detection of lead in schools came to light, the city has been flooded with requests for residential lead testing—an impressive 6,600 requests have been made as of December 9, according to the Water Resources spokesperson, Clay Chandler. The response from the community showcases how seriously residents are taking water quality issues.

Encouraging Test Results

The results from the first batch of tests included data from 159 homes and have revealed promising news. Out of these samples, just nine showed detectable levels of lead on the first draw, which is when water has been sitting in pipes for at least six hours. Importantly, of those nine samples, only three were at or exceeded the action level of .015 parts per million. Even more reassuring: after a quick 30-second flush of the taps, none of the 159 samples had any detected lead.

These samples were taken from throughout the city’s distribution system, which serves 63,000 residential and commercial customers. Chandler noted that the findings align closely with the city’s routine compliance testing, which takes place every three years and was last conducted over the summer.

Continued Testing and Safety Measures

While this initial batch of results is good news, there is still an increased demand for testing, and the city is working to ramp up its capacity by partnering with more North Carolina state-certified labs. Due to the volume of requests, test results may take four to six weeks to return—slightly longer than the usual time frame of two to three weeks.

As part of ongoing efforts to facilitate testing, Asheville plans to coordinate with the fire department to set up pickup and drop-off sites for lead testing kits. Importantly, the city is offering one free test kit per household for customers using city water, which extends to those living just outside city limits.

School Safety a Priority

Chandler highlighted that schools are a priority for testing, as they serve vulnerable populations, particularly young children. This initiative aims to ensure that optimal corrosion control measures have been restored and that the safety of the water supply has not been compromised.

Assessing Corrosion Control Measures

The city had previously suspended regular corrosion control treatment for 19 days in October due to the use of a bypass line, which prevented the addition of lead mitigation chemicals to the water supply. However, potable water was restored on November 18, and city officials maintain that it is safe to drink based on guidelines from the EPA.

Expert Opinions on Water Safety

Despite the positive initial findings, some local experts in water quality are urging residents to continue testing. Chemical engineer Abigail Cantor noted that while the results are promising, they are based on a small sample size and include many variables. She encourages residents to take advantage of the city’s offer for water testing to assess potential risks in their own homes.

Additionally, a routine program of water main flushing would be beneficial to enhance water quality further. Concerns have also been raised regarding sediment due to recent flooding, as Asheville experienced extensive damage to its watershed, which could affect water quality in the long term.

Looking Forward

As Asheville navigates these ongoing water quality challenges, efforts are underway to implement improvements. A significant $39 million project led by the Army Corps of Engineers is set to enhance water treatment processes, ensuring that Asheville can continue to deliver safe, clean water to its residents.

In conclusion, while Asheville has received promising news about its water quality, community engagement and continued testing will be crucial as the city strives to maintain a safe water supply for all its residents. It’s a challenge that Asheville is committed to meet, ensuring peace of mind for its community’s drinking water.