10.09.2024

Today’s Forecast

75º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:32 a.m. | Sunset 7:01 p.m.

City

An update on Asheville’s water system repairs

Screenshot of North Fork bypass line in the water system in Asheville

The North Fork bypass line was built after storm damage in 2004. | Photo via City of Asheville

Last Friday, Assistant City Manager Ben Woody shared an in-depth look at the damage to the water system in Asheville — and the progress made in restoring running water to the thousands of locals and businesses left without. The City of Asheville has not provided an exact timeline for repair, only reiterating that “full operation of the system could potentially be weeks away.”

Here’s what we do know.

The damage

Asheville is served by three water treatment plants — North Fork in Black Mountain, Mills River near the airport, and William DeBruhl in Swannanoa — which together operate thousands of miles of pipes.

The Mills River plant, which primarily serves South Asheville, is fully operational. The city is asking those with water to conserve, and the boil water advisory remains in effect.

The William DeBruhl plant (usually referred to as Bee Tree) had waterlines demolished in the storm and is currently inaccessible until roads are repaired; according to the county, a lot of debris has been removed and road repair is beginning.

Map of the water system in Asheville — North Fork and William DeBruhl water treatment plants sustained catastrophic damage.
|
Map via City of Asheville

North Fork, the principal water treatment plant for the area, is responsible for 80% of our water. North Fork’s 36-in bypass waterline experienced significant damage after the storm washed away almost 25 feet of ground. This bypass line was a redundant installation meant to mitigate any damage to the 36-in and 24-in main and transmission lines and was originally built to withstand a typical hurricane event — but Helene exceeded the typical. These other lines are gone, so the repair of the bypass line is a top priority.

The rebuild, which will be installed deeper and will be armored, is expected to be reconnected later this week.

The restoration

In order for water to start being restored, two things have to happen: This line has to be rebuilt and connected and we have to be able to put water into the system. Currently, the water in the North Fork Reservoir is still filled with sediment — and pushing that water through the filters would destroy them. EPA officials are on site with local teams to provide resources and to help treat the water.

When the water is ready to leave North Fork, crews will still need to fill tanks, repair pipe leaks, and remove air locks from the distribution system. According to the city, “Water restoration will occur slowly and incrementally.”

The next water system update is scheduled for today’s news briefing at 11 a.m. Click the link below for drinking water and nonpotable water distribution sites.

Where to find water

Civic

Updates + need-to-know information

Hurricane Helene, Oct. 7-13: Updates + need-to-know information

The map shows area “complex repair” and “disaster rebuild” zones. | Screenshot via Duke Energy

The following article is being updated on our website daily. We’ll include the latest news here, in our newsletter. Click the button at the bottom of this section to read the full story.

Tuesday, Oct. 8 updates

Yesterday’s news briefing began with an acknowledgment of the devastating impacts expected to hit Florida as Hurricane Milton is set to make landfall late tonight. As we all hope for the safety of Florida residents, the community was assured that the support + resources we’ve received here in WNC aren’t going anywhere.

Electrical infrastructure: repair or rebuild?

As of 9 a.m. yesterday, 58,000 residences remain without power. Duke Energy has published a map marking these areas. Yellow represents areas designated “complex repair zones,” meaning they sustained significant damage but can be repaired. Red represents “disaster rebuild zones,” where buildings and key infrastructure no longer exist and require new poles, lines, and equipment. For red areas, Duke Energy says “temporary restoration solutions are under development.”

FEMA applications + mental health resources

News Notes

Community

In partnership with several local organizations, Explore Asheville is launching the Love Asheville From Afar initiative to allow folks outside WNC to show support for local businesses. If your business has online retail or a direct donation option, fill out the form to be included in the project.

Edu

In a letter to local families, Asheville City Schools Superintendent Maggie Fehrman said that the system is exploring several options to allow schools to reopen, with drilling wells at each school being the most viable avenue. If that option is accessible, some schools could be open in about two weeks. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Biz

Applications are now open for loans through the WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund, which was launched with $7.5 million in initial funding from the Golden LEAF Foundation. Loans up to $100,000 from Mountain BizWorks are designed to help area businesses recover after the hurricane.

Environment

Tomorrow, Oct. 10, the French Broad Riverkeeper will offer free well testing kits for folks whose wells flooded during the storm. You can pick up your equipment between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. at Piney Mountain United Methodist Church (14 Piney Mountain Church Rd., Candler). The team will provide instructions and next-day results.

Biz

Representatives from six organizations, including the Small Business Administration and Explore Asheville’s new Always Asheville Fund, will help businesses navigate recovery during an information session at Mojo Coworking. Business owners can register for the free event happening tomorrow, Oct. 10 — or livestream it online.

Pets

Asheville Humane Society is distributing free pet food at the WNC Farmers Market (570 Brevard Rd.), Unete NC (55 Adams Hill Rd.), and the River Ridge Shopping Center (800 Fairview Rd., Ste. C3). Blue Ridge Humane Society will give out pet food today through Saturday, Oct. 12 during limited hours at 802 S. Grove St., Hendersonville.

Health

Mountain Area Health Education Center has reopened some of its offices to increase access to patient care. Currently, the Cane Creek office is closed and the Center for Psychiatry and Biltmore Family Health, Ob/Gyn, and Internal Medicine are offering telehealth only. See the red bar at the top of the website for updates.

State

The NC Department of Public Safety launched an online resource listing links for the public information outlets for 25+ NC counties and some major cities and towns. Plus, the NCDPS page for Hurricane Helene shares resources + info like open shelters, safe cleaning guidelines, and support numbers.

Cause

Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project reopened applications for its Appalachian Grown Farmer Immediate Needs Grant, which provides up to $500 for expenses like cleaning or replanting that aren’t covered by insurance. Appalachian Grown-certified farms can apply now.

Number

$451,246. That’s the total of 21 grants just approved by the Community Foundation of WNC from the Emergency and Disaster Response Fund. Awards were given to organizations like Asheville Poverty Initiative that are providing relief + recovery services. To date, $13.4 million has been contributed by organizations and individuals across the country.

Community

Your guide to area resources

Community resources in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene

Two FEMA representatives stand with clipboards

Drinking and nonpotable water are available at city + county distribution sites. | Photo via Buncombe County

This article will be regularly updated with information on the resources being offered locally.

Cell service

The community is experiencing limited power and cell service, and temporary solutions are in place to improve communication. Power restoration is ongoing.

Mobile substations have been set up to support this process. These stations provide cellular voice and data, as well as Wi-Fi + charging stations:

Verizon cellular satellite trailer | Asheville YMCA, 30 Woodfin St.; Groce United Methodist Church, 954 Tunnel Rd.
T-mobile cellular satellite trucks | Asheville Middle School, 211 S. French Broad Ave.; Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center; 285 Livingston St.
T-Mobile Wi-Fi substation | Tractor Supply Co., 14 Monticello Rd, Weaverville, NC; Tractor Supply Co., 14 Old Brevard Rd., Asheville; Mission Hospital, 509 Biltmore Ave.

Wi-Fi is also accessible outside the West Asheville Public Library at 942 Haywood Rd., Pack Memorial Library at 67 Haywood St., and the Enka-Candler Library at 1404 Sand Hill Rd. The password is “readmore.”

Prescriptions

Need a prescription filled but unsure where to go? The NC Board of Pharmacy has a confirmation of which pharmacies in Western NC are open and serving patients. Check their website for the latest updates on operating hours and locations.

Food, water, shelter + more

The Wrap

Meet the editors behind AVL today, Grace and Molly

Today’s edition by:
Molly + Grace

From the editors

We know that many of our readers’ families and friends outside WNC are looking to support the local businesses and organizations that have been impacted by the storm. So we’re pulling together an article with links to fundraising and donation campaigns. In this time of overwhelming need, though, there are so many out there — and we need your help to include as many as we can.

If your business or organization is raising funds in the Helene aftermath, please send an email with the subject line “Fundraising Campaign” to hello@avltoday.com. In the email, include a link or information on how folks can donate.

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