Asheville Water Crisis: 100,000 Without Water After Storm Helene

Western North Carolina continues to suffer from severe water shortages after Tropical Storm Helene ravaged the region, leaving close to 100,000 people without access to clean water. The storm struck over two weeks ago and has caused unprecedented damage to Asheville’s water infrastructure. Authorities warn that full restoration of water services could still be weeks away, leaving residents in a dire situation.

Water Shortages Affecting Thousands

Asheville, a city known for its scenic beauty and mountainous terrain, has recently faced one of its biggest public health challenges. The city’s Water Resources Department, which serves around 160,000 people, needs help restoring water to about 90,000 to 100,000 residents. Most of these customers rely on water from the North Fork Reservoir, which was heavily damaged by sediment and debris from the storm.

This sediment has disrupted the water treatment process at the North Fork Water Treatment facility, the primary plant in the system. Crews are working tirelessly to repair critical pipelines, some of which were buried 25 feet underground and destroyed by the flooding. Despite these efforts, officials must determine when clean water will be restored.

According to Clay Chandler, a spokesman for the city, every part of the water system has been impacted. “When asked what the greatest challenge officials faced in getting water back to customers was, Chandler said, ‘everything,'” he stated during a Buncombe County news conference on October 13.

Contaminated Water and Health Risks

The situation is far from normal for those lucky enough to have water flow to their homes. Asheville officials have issued a boil water notice for all customers receiving water from the North Fork Reservoir, citing confirmed contamination. Residents are advised to boil water for at least one minute before drinking, cooking, or brushing their teeth. The water can be used safely for non-ingestive purposes like laundry, showering (with care not to ingest it), and flushing toilets.

Customers who get their water from the Mills River treatment plant are also under a boil water advisory. Although there have been no confirmed contaminants in that system, officials believe it is better to err on the side of caution.

Emergency Efforts to Flush Toilets

As the lack of clean water continues, Asheville residents are force to adapt in ways few could have imagined. Without running water, one of the most basic daily tasks—flushing toilets—has become a community-wide issue. Volunteers, including members of nonprofit organizations like BeLoved Asheville, have stepped up to address this challenge.

Volunteers have been delivering buckets of water to residents who can’t flush their toilets at public housing complexes. John Brown, a visually impaired resident who relies on a wheelchair, expressed gratitude to these volunteers, saying, “I appreciate the fantastic work you guys are doing.”

The lack of sanitation is raising concerns about potential public health risks. Local volunteer groups like Flush AVL have taken matters into their own hands by distributing gray water around the city—non-potable water from ponds, wells, and other sources. The gray water is safe for flushing toilets but not for drinking or cooking.

According to Elle DeBruhl, a member of Flush AVL, the situation could become a major health crisis if toilets are not flush. “It is an extreme health crisis looming if we don’t get these toilets flush,” she said. Her team has placed dozens of large plastic containers holding 250 gallons of gray water each around the city and plans to distribute hundreds more.

Residents are finding creative solutions to deal with the crisis. Some use floodwater left behind by the storm, while others, like Loretta Smith, rely on water from local ponds or swimming pools. As she and her son filled up containers of gray water at a local distribution site, Smith said, “The hardest thing is keeping my commode flushed.”

Schools and Businesses Impacted

The water crisis has not only affected households but has also disrupted the broader community. Many schools and restaurants in the area have been force to close due to the lack of water. Public health officials are concerned that the risk of disease could escalate without adequate sanitation.

Businesses that depend on water for food preparation, like restaurants, have been particularly hard hits. Many have been unable to reopen, leading to significant financial losses. The uncertainty of when water services will return is a constant concern for those still operating.

Volunteers Step In

Amid the chaos, the sense of community in Asheville has shone through. Volunteers from various groups have worked around the clock to help their neighbours survive this unprecedented crisis. One such volunteer is Jesus Citalan-Angeles, a seventh-grade math teacher at Asheville Middle School, who has been delivering gray water to the families of some of his students. “Some people have no access to water at all,” he explained. “Some people have access to creeks and swimming pools, but there are areas that aren’t near any of those things.”

Residents like Teresa Thomas have been especially grateful for the assistance. She filled up her plastic containers with gray water and expressed her relief: “We’re grateful for it. Water’s worth a million here.”

Different Impacts for Different Regions

While Asheville struggles with water shortages, other areas affected by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton have faced different challenges. Helene made landfall in Florida before moving up the East Coast, hitting regions not typically accustomed to dealing with hurricanes. North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, including Asheville, were particularly un prepare for such a storm, leading to the current water crisis.

On the other hand, Florida, more experienced in dealing with hurricanes, managed to avoid the worst-case scenario with Hurricane Milton. Recovery efforts in Florida are already underway, while Asheville remains stuck in a difficult situation with a clear timeline for when water will be fully restore.

The people of Asheville are showing resilience in the face of this water crisis, but the situation remains critical. As city officials work to repair the damaged infrastructure, residents rely on each other and the generosity of volunteers to get through each day. While the road to recovery may be long, the community spirit in Asheville is strong, offering a glimmer of hope in a time of uncertainty.

For now, however, the city remains in survival mode, with thousands still waiting for the taps to be turn back on.