Water Main Break Causes Disruption and Damage at Asheville Shopping Plaza

Asheville, NC: The bustling routine of the well-known River Ridge shopping plaza in Asheville was abruptly disrupted by a water main break on August 8, 2024. The sudden incidence led to several complications, ranging from causing significant damage to parked vehicles to impacting multiple business operations in the vicinity, including the Asheville Humane Thrift Store.

Commotion Begins with a Water Explosion

The incident unfolded in the afternoon hours when a considerable water main broke in the heart of the plaza. Caitlin Bingham, an employee at the Asheville Humane Thrift Store, who was busy with her duties, only got wind of the tumult by a concerned coworker. “I was in the back steaming clothes when my co-worker sounded the alarm, concerned about where I had parked my car. She showed me a video of the chaos unraveling, and it was overwhelming to see,” expressed a shocked Bingham.

Multiple Damages Reported

The destructive water gush didn’t respect boundaries, causing damage to several vehicles including smashed windshields. One plaza visitor spent almost an hour on the phone with an insurance provider following a damaged vehicle report. Responding swiftly to the distress call, local fire officials and maintenance crews were deployed to the site to assess the situation and initiate urgent preventive measures.

Public Information Officer Weighs in on Reasons

Clay Chandler, the public information officer for the City of Asheville Water Resources Department, cited potential reasons for the unfortunate event. “Overall, there could be two main reasons – aging underground water infrastructure and varying city topography. Many of our water lines are more than half a century old,” Chandler explained. The dramatic water main break left several nearby businesses grappling with water shortage.

Uncertain Repair Timeline

Repairing the damage and restoring normalcy might not be as straightforward as it seems due to complex variables involved, warned Chandler. “Repair duration depends on aspects like the location of the break and how deep the pipe is buried. This break was relatively shallow, just a few feet into the ground, which could work in our favor,” he said.

Awaiting Renewal, Businesses Brace for Impact

While a definitive timeline for the repair is yet to be determined, businesses in the plaza are girding up for potential water shortage scenarios. “We filled up our water storage and bought gallons of water as a precautionary measure,” shared a worried Bingham from the Asheville Humane Thrift Store.

Until the Reboot

As the city crews work hard to restore the water system, the plaza awaits the toil’s success story with baited breath. Until then, the local businesses are urged to prepare for all contingencies and the public to cooperate and bear with the temporary adjustment phase.