Asheville’s Water System Repairs Enter Second Week as City Battles Shortages After Hurricane Helene

Repairs on Asheville’s water system, damaged by Hurricane Helene, have now entered their second week. The city’s Assistant Manager, Ben Woody, provided an update on the ongoing restoration efforts, noting that the Mills River Water Plant has returned to normal output. However, some residents in the service area are still experiencing water shortages. Officials continue to advise residents with access to water to conserve it and adhere to a boil water advisory to ensure safety.

A critical task in the repair process is reconnecting the 36-inch North Fork water bypass main. This connection, expected to be completed within the next 48 to 72 hours, is a key step in bringing water back to residents and businesses in the affected areas. The city is also facing challenges with the North Fork reservoir, where high sediment levels, described as resembling “chocolate milk,” must settle before the water can be processed through the treatment plant.

To manage these issues, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been on-site, assisting with resources to treat the reservoir, which supplies 80% of Asheville’s water. The city is coordinating with three companies, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), and additional contractors to conduct extensive repairs on Asheville’s primary water mains. The engineering and design aspects of the repair are being adapted in real time as workers continue to restore the water distribution network.

Repairs are being prioritized starting from the water source, with workers replacing damaged transmission lines and gradually expanding outward. Despite the progress, Woody cautioned that as water pressure is reintroduced to the system over the next few weeks, more breaks and leaks will likely emerge. The city anticipates finding additional damage as repairs advance and the water system stabilizes.

The Asheville Water Department, with its 181 employees, is working closely with contractors to complete the necessary repairs. While the full extent of the damage may not yet be known, city officials are making steady progress and are optimistic about fully restoring water service in the coming weeks.