ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WSPA) – The water supply in Asheville has been deemed safe once again. Buncombe County officials announced that the boil water advisory has been lifted, 53 days after Hurricane Helene.
the Public Information Officer for Asheville Water Resources
Clay Chandler, the Public Information Officer for Asheville Water Resources, provided an update on Monday morning stating that the advisory was rescinded following a sampling process conducted over the weekend. He noted that the water resources lab team completed testing the distribution system on Sunday morning, and after 18 hours, all samples were free of E. Coli and chloroform, allowing for the advisory to be lifted on Monday.
Authorities have indicated that residents no longer need to rely on bottled water for drinking or hygiene. Treated water has now mixed with raw water, permitting customers to return to normal water usage.
In light of an initial surge in demand, officials advise residents to temporarily refrain from engaging in high-volume water activities, such as filling bathtubs and swimming pools, watering gardens, and taking long showers.
Additionally, homeowners with properties built before 1988 are encouraged to flush their pipes to minimize the risk of lead contamination. This can be done by using cold water and allowing it to run for 30 seconds to two minutes, or until the temperature noticeably changes. Officials suggest this procedure for regular water use moving forward to ensure safety.
