Happening Now
The City of Asheville Water Resources has received a $2 Million grant to help determine the water service line material on both sides of a water meter – the utility- and customer-owned sections. The grant will allow the City to replace any water service lines that are found to be lead or galvanized iron pipe on both the utility- and customer-owned sections.
The Water Resources Department is developing a plan for the Shiloh Community customer outreach. The plan will include community meetings, outreach via phone calls and text messages, mailers, and door hangers. Customer participation is necessary to be included in this project. That participation is crucial to the success of the project – but participation is voluntary.
For a comprehensive explanation of this project and the Water Resources Department’s overall service line inventory initiative, visit the Shiloh Community Project presentation or the City of Asheville Lead Awareness Page.
Why Shiloh?
This area was chosen because it meets the following criteria established by the City and the terms of the grant:
- Water mains that serve these areas were installed when lead and galvanized pipe were commonly used for service line material.
- Homes in the area were, for the most part, built between the 1930s and the 1960s.
- Shiloh is considered a historically disadvantaged area, per the City’s Climate Justice Map and the state of North Carolina’s Department of Water Infrastructure Map.
Shiloh Streets involved in the Inventory and Replacement Project
- Taft Avenue
- Jeffress Avenue
- Grant Avenue
- Century Boulevard
- Gaines Avenue
- Hampton Street
- Caribou Road from Hampton Street Intersection to Ardmore Street
Background
The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implemented the new Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) in early 2021, requiring all public water utilities to develop a water service line inventory. The Water Resources Department had previously started a Lead Awareness Program that included free service line inspections and testing drinking water for lead.
In April 2023, Water Resources applied for a $2 million grant from the North Carolina Department of Water Infrastructure (NCDWI) for the replacement of lead and galvanized service lines. NCDWI approved the city’s request in November 2023. The City has subsequently submitted to NCDWI a Scope of Work that outlines how grant funds will be spent. The City expects feedback from NCDWI by February 1, 2024.
Timeline
| Task | Estimated Completion Date |
| Phase 1 – Engineering and Investigation Efforts | |
| City outreach to residents in the project area | December 2023 – February 2024 |
| Submittal of Engineering Report/Environmental Information Document and Bid and Design Package | March 1, 2024 |
| Prep of bid package whileEngineering Report/ Environmental Information Document and Bid and Design Package are under review (if needed) | January – April 2024 |
| Approval of Engineering Report/ Environmental Information Document and Bid and Design Package | April 1, 2024 |
| Phase 2 – Replacement Efforts | |
| Advertise Project, Receive Bids, Submit Bid Information, and Receive ATA | May 2024 |
| Execute Construction Contract(s) & Begin Inventory and Replacement of Service Lines | July 2024 |
| Inventory Complete | October 2024 |
| Replacement Project Complete | November – December 2024 |
Supporting Documents
City of Asheville Lead Awareness Page
Project Scope of Work Submitted to State 12/1/23
Contact Information
Brenna Cook, Compliance Manager – City of Asheville Water Resources Department
828-259-5962
Clay Chandler, Public Information Officer – City of Asheville Water Resources Department
828-259-5419
