Water Services Recovery City of Asheville water sampling plan specific to recovering from Helene Post-Helene Lead and Copper Sampling Plan and Results Request a free lead test Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes Lead Testing Results Helene Recovery Water Quality 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. Backflow Assemblies City of Asheville (CoA) water customers may receive a letter regarding a backflow assembly. The CoA water department will be contacting customers who recently installed a well or a water storage tank to inform them of the need to install a backflow assembly. NC Water Warn is working with the CoA and will be testing backflow assemblies that are connected to CoA water lines. Click here for more information on backflow assemblies. Update – December 11 at 1:08 p.m. Starting tomorrow, December 12, lead test kits for customers who have requested a kit prior to December 11, will be available for pick-up at four locations. Pick-up locations: Asheville City Hall, 70 Court Plaza, on the first floor at customer service, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Two parking spots are designated outside City Hall for test kit pick up and drop off. North Asheville Library: 1030 Merrimon Ave., Tuesday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. East Asheville Library: 3 Avon Rd., Tuesday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. West Asheville Library: 942 Haywood Rd., Tuesday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. An AVL Alert will be sent to customers the day before their scheduled pickup time and designated location. The last day for pick-up for customers who requested a kit prior to December 11, will be December 19. The last day for drop off will be December 21. Once tests are dropped off it will take 4-6 weeks to receive results. It’s important to note this test kit distribution is only for customers who requested a kit prior to December 11. If you haven’t requested a kit but would like to, you can do so by calling 828-259-5962 or emailing leadprevention@ashevillenc.gov. For more information on Water Recovery efforts please visit the City of Asheville’s Water Services Recovery page. Update – December 9 at 12:43 p.m. See updates from the City of Asheville on water service at the Buncombe County press briefing on December 9 on Youtube. The City of Asheville Water Resources Department is ramping up efforts to meet growing demand for lead and copper testing, while also providing new insights into the impact of Tropical Storm Helene on the city’s watershed. Lead and Copper Testing Strategy The City of Asheville is encouraging residents, particularly those with homes built prior to 1988, to participate in the city’s free lead and copper drinking water testing program. Testing is especially recommended for households with pregnant or nursing individuals and children under the age of six. As of December 9, the city has received more than 6,600 requests for lead testing. In response, Water Resources is working to increase testing capacity by contracting with additional North Carolina State-certified laboratories. The standard turnaround time for lead test results is typically 2-3 weeks. However, due to heightened demand, the city is currently estimating a 4-6 week processing period for most test results. Priority testing is being focused on: Schools and childcare facilities: These facilities serve vulnerable populations, including children under 6, and are geographically distributed throughout the water system, providing key insight into overall system health. Homes in the city’s compliance testing pool: These properties were last tested for lead and copper in July 2024, offering an opportunity to compare results before and after system restoration. These targeted sampling efforts are part of a broader strategy to ensure that optimal corrosion control has been restored in the water system. Results from these priority tests will be shared publicly on the city’s Water Services Recovery page. The initial round of results from customer requests are already posted on the Water Services Recovery page, and they are very encouraging. Out of 159 samples taken from private homes in mid-late November, nine had a detectable lead level, although only three either matched or exceeded the EPA’s lead action level of 0.015 parts per million on the first draw – meaning, water was collected straight from the tap, without allowing it to run beforehand. After running the water for 30 seconds, none of the samples had detectable levels of lead. This underscores the importance of flushing your system if water has sat dormant for six hours or more. To increase accessibility for the testing kits, the Water Resources Department is working in partnership with Asheville Fire Department (AFD) to establish test kit pick-up and drop-off sites. Site locations and operating hours will be announced as soon as they are finalized. Watershed Assessment Drone footage captured by Asheville Police Department’s drone team provides a new perspective on the damage caused by Tropical Storm Helene to the North Fork watershed. The aerial view revealed: Thousands of uprooted trees Multiple and significant landslides Significant shifts in the topography of large portions of the watershed This information will help inform the city’s response strategy and guide future restoration work within the watershed. The drone footage can be found in the Water Recovery Briefing here. Update – December 2 at 12:05 p.m. You can find the presentation from the Buncombe County briefing at this link: County Briefing – Dec. 2 2024 – Water Department Updates The Water Resources Department paused all billing activities at the onset of Hurricane Helene until the full system achieved a return to potable water. The boil water notice was lifted system wide on 11/18/2024. As regular service operations has returned, billing will be resumed. The difficult task of meter reading began the same week potable water was restored. What to expect as meter reading resumes and new statements are produced: The combined utility statement includes services for water, sewer, stormwater, and sanitation services (as applicable to each customer). Utility flat fee charges are primarily billed bimonthly/six times per fiscal year. The Water Consumption Charge for water usage on all bills has been changed to $0.00. This covers all water usage from your last bill, before the storm, through your meter reading for the current bill. It encompasses the full period of non-potable water from the end of September through mid November. Sewer Treatment will be charged at the regular rate as the Metropolitan Sewerage District has remained operational and is treating wastewater on a normal schedule. Due to the lapse in billing during storm recovery, customers have missed one full bimonthly billing cycle. Because of this, the flat fees for other services will be doubled on your most recent bill. Again these fees are designed for assessment six times per year for the associated services. This would include the water base fee, sewer maintenance, stormwater, and sanitation roll carts. It does not include a water consumption charge for the billing period impacted by Hurricane Helene from the end of September through mid November. The City of Asheville will not assess any delinquent fees for utility statements until after 3/1/2025. Customers are encouraged to contact Water Customer Services at 251-1122 if they have billing questions or if additional time is needed to pay the bill. Payment plans will be made available to customers who request them. Regular rates will resume beginning with the next billing cycle. Update – November 27 at 1:30 p.m. See updates from the City of Asheville on water service at the Buncombe County press briefing on November 27 on Youtube. Update – November 18 at 1:30 p.m. Boil Water Notice Lifted The City of Asheville has lifted the Boil Water Notice for all water customers as of 11 a.m. today, November 18. Water Resources lab staff finished sampling the distribution system early Sunday afternoon, and results have confirmed that the water supply is free from contaminants. Turbidity at North Fork Reservoir measured 14.5 as of its last reading. The private contractor for the Army Corps of Engineers continues constructing its water pre-treatment system as planned. Materials and equipment are arriving daily. Nothing has changed with the timeline for completion, which is late November/early December. Customers may resume normal usage of the water system. It is no longer necessary to use bottled water for consumption, although water distribution and services provided at Community Care Stations at listed locations will continue until further notice. While an increase in demand is expected, Water Resources is asking customers to temporarily avoid large-volume activities like filling bathtubs, watering landscaping, filling swimming pools and taking abnormally long showers. Otherwise, normal usage for consumption (drinking and cooking), hygiene (bathing and handwashing) and dishwashing may resume. Appliances with filters, such as icemakers and water heaters that have been turned off, can be turned back on. Please refer to manufacturer’s instructions on restarting those appliances if they have been inactive for an extended period. Lead exposure concerns The City of Asheville is confident there is no detectable level of lead in its source water. Plumbing in structures built before 1988 have increased potential to be a source of lead exposure if water sits undisturbed in plumbing. For this reason, customers in structures built before 1988 are advised to flush their system for 30 seconds to two minutes before consumption on a daily basis. The City of Asheville has received more than 2,000 requests from customers for kits to test their plumbing for the presence of lead. Participation in the City’s Lead Awareness Program usually receives about 5 requests for test kits per month. The data from this sampling will prove to be invaluable moving forward. The lifting of the Boil Water Notice is an incredible milestone in storm recovery. It took an extraordinary effort to get to this day and the City of Asheville thanks the community for being patient during this disruption in service. Whether it was temporarily turning off the water supply to water heaters, flushing pipes, or enduring multiple Boil Water Notice AVL Alerts, community participation made a difference in getting the water system back online. The Water Resources team was supported by a number of City departments, partners from other water utilities, FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers, without whom this would not have been possible. See updates from the City of Asheville on water service at the Buncombe County press briefing on November 18 on Youtube. Update – November 15 at 3:45 p.m. You can find the presentation from the Buncombe County briefing at this link: County Briefing – Nov. 15, 2024 – Water Department Updates Update – November 14 at 12:51 p.m. You can find the presentation from the Buncombe County briefing at this link: County Briefing – Nov. 14, 2024 – Water Department Updates Water Resources launched an investigative sampling program focused on testing for lead and copper from 25 locations across the distribution system, in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Lead exposure is particularly hazardous to pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children under the age of six. Plumbing in structures built before 1988 have increased potential to be a source of lead exposure if water sits undisturbed in plumbing for 4-6 hours. For this reason, the Water Resources Department treats water with zinc orthophosphate, which provides corrosion control throughout the water distribution system, including private property plumbing. Due to the piping configuration at the North Fork Water Treatment Plant, Water Resources was unable to treat the raw reservoir water with zinc orthophosphate for approximately 19 days. Lead sampling results These samples were sent to an independent, third-party lab, and results indicated detectable lead levels from the pipes in seven schools. All copper levels were well below regulatory limits. It is important to note lead levels were not found in the water source itself, but rather from water traveling through older pipes owned by customers. Schools with detectable lead levels include: County Elementary Schools: Oakley Elementary School, Sand Hill Elementary School, Charles C. Bell Elementary School, Glen Arden Elementary School City Elementary Schools: Lucy S. Herring Elementary School, Hall-Fletcher Elementary School Participating Private School: Odyssey Community School At the time of sampling, the schools had been closed and water had been sitting in the pipes for two to three weeks. Since schools reopened, students have not consumed tap water. Bottled water is being provided to students and staff for drinking purposes. In line with EPA recommendations, the schools are implementing protective measures, including installing National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) certified filters to reduce lead and assessing plumbing for potential sources of exposure. Out of an abundance of caution, Water Resources also sampled the raw water at North Fork for lead and are awaiting results from a third party contract lab. Source water at North Fork, Mills River and Bee Tree water treatment facilities were last tested for lead and copper in July 2024. All results were below detection limits. Water Resources records going back decades do not show detectable levels of lead in the source water at any time. Health precautions and recommendations Lead exposure poses significant health risks, especially for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children under the age of 6, if ingested. It is important to note external use such as showering, dishwashing and washing clothes are not at risk for lead exposure. If you have concerns regarding exposure to lead and are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have children under 6 please contact your healthcare provider. See recommendations to avoid lead exposure until the boil water notice is lifted: Use bottled water: Drinking bottled water is the safest way to avoid lead exposure. Bottled water is being distributed throughout the City and County. Free potable water is available at multiple distribution sites across the City and County. Residents are encouraged to use these resources as needed. Boil water guidance: If you must use the tap water for consumption it is recommended to run tap water for 30 seconds to two minutes or until a temperature change is noticed each time before boiling. This EPA-recommended flushing practice can reduce potential lead presence in the short term. Water billing on hold No water bills are currently being issued, so additional flushing will not incur costs for residents. Moreover, extra flushing will expedite the overall process of restoring corrosion control and lifting the boil water notice sooner. Free lead testing available Water Resources will be re-sampling affected schools and private residences over the coming months to monitor progress and verify the effectiveness of corrosion control treatment. Residents, particularly those in homes built before 1988, are strongly encouraged to participate in Asheville’s free lead and copper testing program. To request a testing kit, or for more information on protecting against lead exposure, contact Water Resources at 828-259-5962 or email leadprevention@ashevillenc.gov. Additional information is available online at ashevillenc.gov/leadawareness. You can find previous updates from the Water Department on our YouTube channel. We've temporarily modified this page of the Asheville City website in order for visitors to more easily access information about Hurricane Helene. View Full Home Page Instead.
