The water is flowing again in parts of Asheville’s water system, 19 days after Tropical Storm Helene destroyed main distribution lines from the North Fork Reservoir, but it is not potable and not likely to be anytime soon.

At the Monday daily briefing, Asheville Assistant City Manager Ben Woody said the water department is continuing to feed highly chlorinated water from North Fork, the city’s main water supply, directly into the distribution system.

“Our Water Resources Department is currently able to flow about 12 million gallons per day into the distribution system, and we’re using that right now to support flushing of the water system, as well as expansion of water into the distribution system,” Woody said. “Later this week, we hope to begin the process of an in-reservoir treatment that should increase the rate of settling in the reservoir, which will then allow us to begin treating that water through our water treatment plant.”

The 350-acre reservoir is fed by creeks that were overwhelmed by Helene’s heavy rains, depositing a high level of clay particles in the normally pristine lake. Woody said staff has now reported that clear water has returned to those feeder creeks, so that should further help reduce turbidity, or sedimentation.

The city provided a map that showed areas that are or soon will be receiving water. Areas closest to North Fork, generally those in the eastern part of Buncombe County, received water first. As of Monday, those areas likely to get water in the coming days are to the east of the French Broad River.

“Water restoration will happen incrementally, steadily.” Asheville City Council member Sage Turner said in a Facebook post Monday afternoon. “Areas in the north, in Downtown, in Fairview, and in higher elevations in the south should start getting water today. We’ll fill the system east of the river, then move further west. This path is because of the different pressure zones.”

Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer said in a Monday afternoon update, “Water service is slowly being restored — downtown should see service today, and North Asheville tomorrow.”

On Sunday the city was able to start supplying water to areas west of Swannanoa after restoring water to Haw Creek junction, a major part of the distribution system.

“That was a big milestone for us,” Woody said. “Actually, the damage to the water system in Swannanoa was more severe than expected, which is almost hard to believe.’’

City water flowed into the Haw Creek and South Tunnel Road areas on Sunday, Woody added, and the city was preparing to begin sending water to Fairview and to some of the higher-elevation areas of South Asheville that don’t have water. 

“We also have preparations in place to begin sending water to our downtown area and areas of North Asheville,” Woody said, noting that they also would begin turning on pump stations in these areas.

Asheville has a lot of elevation changes, making pump stations critical, especially for higher areas. The water system has 54 unique pressure zones, 1,800 miles of lines and 37 water storage tanks “that we need to fully pressurize the system. We need about 21 million gallons of water to fill those storage tanks,” Woody said.

Woody stressed that the “process of restoration is going to be slow and incremental,” and will move in a westerly direction.

Woody showed pictures and video of workers flushing the system via fire hydrants, with the water starting out murky and brown and then becoming clear. Boil water advisories remain in place, and the city is recommending that when water returns, residents should flush their own home water systems for 15 minutes by letting the water run at an outdoor spigot or through the bathtub.

As it repressurizes the system, the city continues to find line breaks, ranging in size and location, including one six-inch main in the Haw Creek area, Woody said.

The sediment in the water is largely clay particles, and the city received approval from the Environmental Protection Agency before recommending customers can use it for showering. The water is treated with chlorine, but it is not potable.

The city has steadfastly declined to give a specific timeline for water restoration, and Woody said that will continue to be the case, outside of the information in the restoration map.

“I can’t give a timeline outside of the pink areas on the map, because those are the areas that we first have to pressurize and repair any breaks before we can move to the other side of the French Broad,” Woody said.

Woody said the reason the river is “loosely the boundary right now is because we have pressure zones on that side of the river that we’re able to manage.

“So we have to be able to get the air out of the distribution network and get water largely into some of those pipes before we can move across the river into kind of the western pressure zones,” Woody said. “But I hope to have more information on that on Wednesday.”

The city’s water system has 63,000 residential, business and contract customers, supplying water to about 155,000 people. 

On the boil water notices, Woody explained the difference between a notice and an advisory.

“A boil water notice means that we can confirm the presence of bacteria in the water source,” Woody said. “A boil water advisory means we can’t necessarily confirm the presence, but we have enough information to think there may be the presence of bacteria. So that’s a regulatory distinction, but the end result, the actions you take, are the same.”

The city recommends boiling water vigorously for at least one minute before consumption, but Woody said they still suggest people use bottled water for drinking, brushing their teeth or other consumption uses. The returning tap water is safe for laundry, showering (do not swallow water while showering), handwashing, washing dishes and flushing toilets.

As the water supply returns, the city is also asking residents to report pipe leaks by calling 828-251-1122.

The city also offers these tips regarding water restoration:

What to do before water service returns:

• Flip off the breaker to your water heater. 
• Turn off water to your water heater. 
• Turn off hot water under your sinks. 
• Remove aerator (it typically unscrews) on faucets. 
• Turn off the ice maker.
• Turn off water to your whole house filter, if you have one.

What to do when your water service returns

• Flush your home plumbing by running the bathtub’s cold water faucet.
• Your water heater may be turned back on once your home’s plumbing has been flushed.
• It’s safe to flush your toilet after completing steps 1 and 2.

Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. John Boyle has been covering Asheville and surrounding communities since the 20th century. You can reach him at (828) 337-0941, or via email at jboyle@avlwatchdog.org. To show your support for this vital public service go to avlwatchdog.org/support-our-publication/.

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