Buncombe County Faces Water Contamination Challenge After Hurricane Helene

News Summary

Buncombe County is grappling with water quality issues after Hurricane Helene, with alarming lead contamination detected in several school water supplies. Residents are urged to take precautions while local officials work to address the contamination and restore safe drinking water. The community is coming together as schools distribute bottled water and residents engage in preventive measures.

Buncombe County Faces Water Contamination Challenge After Hurricane Helene

In the scenic region of Buncombe County, North Carolina, residents are on high alert following the recent discovery of lead contamination in the water supply of several schools, an unfortunate aftermath of Hurricane Helene. With many families still recovering from the storm, water quality concerns have skyrocketed, and local water officials are working tirelessly to address the situation.

Water Quality Woes

After Hurricane Helene blew through, the water consumption in Buncombe County surged significantly, climbing from an average of 18-20 million gallons per day to a hefty 25 million gallons. This spike in usage comes amid troubling reports of water quality issues. Turbidity levels—essentially a measure of how clear the water is—have jumped alarmingly at the North Fork Reservoir, reaching a score of 7. In comparison, good drinking water usually has turbidity levels closer to 0.5, making the current state quite concerning.

The real kicker? Out of 1,200 water samples taken, 24 showed detectable lead levels just from the first draw, raising red flags for community health. While only 9 exceeded accepted criteria, it’s enough to warrant serious attention. In flush tests conducted on 1,175 samples, more followed suit with 5 showing detectable lead levels, leading to immediate resampling for further verification.

Schools Under Scrutiny

As it turned out, seven schools from Buncombe County and Asheville City were found with detectable lead in their plumbing following tests conducted between October 27 and November 8. The affected schools include Oakley Elementary, Sand Hill Elementary, Charles C. Bell Elementary, Glen Arden Elementary, Lucy S. Herring Elementary, Hall-Fletcher Elementary, and Odyssey Community School. With schools becoming focal points of concern, officials have promptly stepped in to offer bottled water while they navigate this tricky situation.

A Community in Action

The city has been proactive in reassuring families that while the distribution pipes do not contain lead, precautions are essential. They are encouraging parents and students to practice water safety by flushing their taps or running the water for at least 30 seconds before using it. For those living in older homes—particularly those built before 1988—participating in the city’s lead and copper testing program is more important than ever. Awareness and action are key.

What’s Being Done

In response to these alarming findings, the Asheville Water Resources Department is ramping up efforts to tackle lead levels. After pausing lead treatment for 19 days due to unusually high sediment post-storm, operations have resumed with a boost in zinc orthophosphate—this helps rebuild the protective layer in pipes to mitigate corrosion. Clear and timely communication has been highlighted as essential to keep residents informed and engaged without causing unnecessary panic.

Next Steps for Residents

Looking ahead, water quality experts recommend that residents take action to protect their health by flushing their plumbing regularly, especially those who may have lead pipes still in their homes. With over 5,000 requests for lead testing kits rolling in since the lead revelation in schools, it’s evident that the community is taking the threat seriously. Furthermore, experts are advocating for ongoing testing and education to ensure everyone understands the risks associated with lead exposure.

The community spirit in Buncombe County shines through in these tough days, as folks come together to keep each other safe and informed. With continued vigilance and appropriate actions, residents can help tackle the water quality challenges head-on. The journey to restore safe drinking water may be ongoing, but the collective effort is what will ultimately heal and strengthen the community.

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Additional Resources

• WLOS: Water Usage and Turbidity Rise in Asheville
• Fox Carolina: Officials Detect Lead in Water Across Asheville City Schools
• NC Newsline: Experts Recommend More Testing for Lead Exposure in Asheville
• WLOS: Buncombe County Offers Free Lead Testing Kits
• Wikipedia: Water Quality