The in-reservoir treatment will continue concurrently to maximize redundancy. | Photo via City of Asheville
Last week, news broke that the City of Asheville finally had a potential timeline for restoring potable water to the system. At the heart of this announcement was the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and a secondary option for treating the North Fork reservoir. At yesterday’s Buncombe County briefing, Water Resources Department PIO Clay Chandler shared much-anticipated details of this backup plan — plus, an update on the North Fork reservoir’s turbidity improvement
Here’s what weknow about the progress.
USACE offers plan B
The current treatment plan (involving aluminum sulfate, caustic soda, and the curtain we discussed last week) is still ongoing, but thanks to the USACE, our Water Resources Department has a second option at its disposal.
The USACE is in the early stages of constructing mobile treatment units at the North Fork reservoir, situated in a clearing above the dam. It hasn’t yet been determined how many will be in place or what size the units will be, but the USACE has said that it will be able to treat 25 million gallons per day — which would be enough to keep the system pressurized and complete the flushing process.
In a very simplified way, these mobile treatment units contain sedimentation plates that are able to remove almost 100% of the sediment in the water. They take the water out of the reservoir, get its turbidity down to 1-2 NTUs, then plug it back into our treatment system.
Planning for this backup treatment started at the beginning of October, and after the USACE got the go-ahead from its chain of command on Oct. 30, crews began the procurement process for material and personnel. They will be working 24 hours a day until the system is operational.
Many local businesses, venues, and organizations are reopening, and we’re excited to start sharing our events calendar again. However, due to the storm, some events on our website may be canceled or postponed. Please check the event links and websites to confirm details before attending.
Tuesday, Nov. 5
West Asheville Tailgate Market | 3:30-5:30 p.m. | 718 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free entry | Browse produce, baked goods, eggs, meat, crafts, beauty products, and more from local vendors.
Dark City Poets Society | 6-7:30 p.m. | Black Mountain Library, Black Mountain | Free | Meet with fellow poets of all ages and experience levels to get feedback on your work.
Wednesday, Nov. 6
Laura Cortese and the Dance Cards | 7 p.m. | The Grey Eagle | $19+ | Feel relief and release from a band whose music is designed to make you move.
“Doubt” | Thursday, Nov. 7-Sunday, Nov. 10 | Times vary | Mars Hill University Theatre Arts, Mars Hill | $8+ | Explore moral uncertainty, faith, and suspicion during this Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play.
Thursday, Nov. 7
Wolf Howl | Thursday, Nov. 7-Friday, Nov. 8 | 6-8 p.m. | $35+ | Experience the Nature Center at night while you learn about the Red and Gray Wolves of North America — due to inaccessible roads, registrants will be sent location details for entry.
Drive-By Truckers | 8 p.m. | The Orange Peel | $35+ | Jam out to the sounds of this classic Southern rock band.
Friday, Nov. 8
Dungeons & Dragons with Raj | 4-6 p.m. | Pack Memorial Library | Free, RSVP | Tweens can summon up their bravery and daring to set out on an exciting adventure.
Friday Night Laughs | 7 p.m. | Catawba Brewing | $15 | See the silliest sets of local and national comedians, performing with the motto, “Clear Eyes, Full Beers, Can’t Lose.”
Saturday, Nov. 9
6th Annual Sausage Festival | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Hickory Nut Gap Farm, Fairview | $12 | Celebrate everything sausage with local music, vendors, and entertaining activities — and don’t miss the relief raffle for the Fairview Fire Department.
Election Day. If you aren’t one of the record 116,000 Buncombe County early voters, this is your last day to go to the polls. The polls are open today from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and as long as you’re in line by 7:30 p.m., you’ll be able to vote. Check out our voting guide, which includes post-storm changes to the process.
Closing
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Roam Collective announced its decision to close its brick-and-mortar spot, encouraging folks to “follow along as we begin this new journey.” You can still shop and support the business on Friday, Nov. 8, Saturday, Nov. 9, and Monday, Nov. 11 from 12 to 6 p.m. and on Sunday, Nov. 10 from 12 to 4 p.m.
Community
The community care station at AC Reynolds High School closes at 7 p.m. today, Nov. 5 and will move to the Fairview Ingles (225 Charlotte Hwy.). There won’t be an interruption in service, though — you’ll be able to wash clothes, shower, find potable water, and receive other services at the new location starting at 7 a.m. tomorrow.
Environment
The NC National Forest Service has warned that there is the potential for increased wildlife activity in November. Road damage and other hazardous conditions in storm-impacted areas will make wildfire response more challenging, and storm debris + debris burning can increase potential for wildfires. (WLOS)
Ranked
No. 6 and No. 8. That’s where Vinnie’s Neighborhood Italian South and Jettie Rae’s Oyster House landed on TripAdvisors’ list of the Best of the Best Casual Restaurants in the US. The awards are given to restaurants that received a high number of “above-and-beyond” reviews from the TripAdvisor community.
Shop
A number of local businesses, including Sourhouse, Matcha Nude, and Sunlight Tax, have launched One Percent for Asheville. Through the initiative, these businesses are pledging 1% or more of their November and December sales to relief efforts in WNC. Interested businesses can still join in.
Cause
Mountain Housing Opportunities will hold its annual fundraiser on Monday, Nov. 18. Building Hope: An Evening for Affordable Housing will feature a DJ, food, drinks, a photo booth, and inspiring conversation. The event is free to attend this year — donations will support the Hurricane Helene Housing Recovery Fund.
Arts
The application deadline for the next Asheville Fringe Arts Festival, happening March 16-23, has been extended to Sunday, Nov. 17. Artists with live performances, installations, and films can check out the details and apply. Psst... you can still donate to the Asheville Fringe Artist Relief Fund until this Sunday, Nov. 10.
Featured Home
This 2023 farmhouse is filled with cozy spaces + charming touches, including exposed beam accents, a living-dining area connected to a covered porch, and a private primary with an ensuite bath. See inside.*
Wellness
Better sleep in as little as two weeks + workout breakthroughs in eight to twelve weeks — get the benefits Magnesium Breakthrough, with seven powerful forms of magnesium.*
Category
Community
Updates + need-to-know information
“We’re happy we’re giving the Parkway back to the people of Asheville,” said NPS rep David Allberg. | Photo via National Park Service
The following article is being updated on our website daily. Click the button at the bottom of this section to read the full story.
Monday, Nov. 4
Note: There will be no briefing today, Nov. 5.
More openings on the Blue Ridge Parkway
In addition to the sections that have already opened, the National Park Service (NPS) hopes to open a section of the Asheville corridor of the Blue Ridge Parkway later this week. The section in question runs from the US Route 70/Tunnel Road intersection (milepost 382.5) to State Route 191/Brevard Road (milepost 393.6) near the French Broad River and the North Carolina Arboretum.
This section will allow access onto and off of the Parkway from these roads:
US Route 70/Tunnel Road
US Route 74
US Route 25/Hendersonville Road
State Route 191/Brevard Road
Although there are no projected opening dates for the rest of the Parkway, the NPS has been able to reopen 311 of the Parkway’s 469 miles to date.
Remember: Don’t park on the roadside — only in official parking lots. There may be hidden hazards, and parked cars are a hindrance to work crews.
The peak of fall color in these parts is pretty unbeatable, but I’m also enchanted by the post-peak weeks — when trees stand bare, but the vibrant leaves paint the ground. Appalachian Wildlife Refuge recommends leaving the leaves where they are (because they’re a shelter for small creatures and not for aesthetic reasons), but if you do need to rake, the nonprofit will take a donation of your leaf litter. The team uses it in their outdoor enclosures, giving a more natural experience to the rehabilitated animals as they prepare to return to the wild.
