Lead Testing Results post-Helene Last updated or reviewed on February 17, 2025 City of Asheville water sampling plan specific to recovering from Helene Post-Helene Lead and Copper Sampling Plan and Results Lead Testing Results Water Resources lab staff conduct daily testing at the source and throughout the distribution system for total coliform, E. Coli and chlorine. To ensure the safety of customers, Water Resources, with guidance from the EPA and North Carolina DEQ, developed and implemented a water sampling plan specific to recovering from Helene. Most sample stations are taps going right into the water lines. There are 184 sampling stations throughout the distribution system. Under normal conditions, 8-10 stations per day are tested. However, since Helene, there are 35 stations per day on average. Water Resources’ in-house testing is slightly more accurate when the water is clear. As a result, samples are sent to a third-party lab, and the results have a turnaround time of 7-10 days. Due to current conditions created by Helene, Water Resources staff are currently testing for aluminum, iron and manganese daily. Under normal conditions, weekly tests for aluminum, iron and manganese are done at the source and on finished water from a faucet in our lab. Typically, results that indicate elevated levels of iron, manganese and aluminum are extremely rare. To protect human health, the federal government has set primary and secondary maximum contaminant limits (acceptable levels of each) in drinking water Primary Chlorine – 4 ppm (After Helene, both EPA and NCDEQ allowed us to chlorinate initially at 8 ppm, which we did, but we have since dropped it down incrementally to 2.5 ppm) Total coliform – No more than 5 percent of total bacterial tests in a month (we have had zero since Helene) E.Coli – 0.00 (we have had no detections since Helene) Secondary Aluminum – 0.05-0.2 ppm Iron – 0.3 ppm Manganese – 0.05 ppm The primary limits are enforceable. The secondary limits are recommendations for water aesthetics. Federal and state regulators do not enforce them. For example, the levels of iron and manganese in the unfiltered water have slightly exceeded the maximum contaminant levels. Those with medical conditions susceptible to increased levels of aluminum, iron, manganese and chlorine over a long period of time should consult with their doctor. Impacts on water Aluminum produces a cloudy look to the water. Iron is rusty colored and causes a metallic taste in the water, and produces reddish-brown staining on toilets and other appliances. Manganese is black to brown in color, causes a metallic taste in water, and produces yellow staining on toilets and other appliances. The in-reservoir treatment process at North Fork will actually work to reduce levels of iron and manganese.
