Asheville has potable water

Press release from Asheville mayor Esther Manheimer:

I am relieved and grateful to share that as of today, the Boil Water Notice has been lifted for all customers. This means customers can now resume normal water usage—a major step forward in our recovery efforts. Getting to this point was no small feat. It required the expertise and dedication of our water teams and contractors who have been working tirelessly, day and night, to make this possible. I want to extend my deepest thanks to everyone who sacrificed their time and energy to work around the clock for weeks to restore this essential service.

I am incredibly proud of the work our city staff have done, and deeply appreciative of the collaboration we’ve seen from our federal, state, and local partners. Their presence on the ground, alongside our contractors, has made all the difference. Lifting this notice is a significant milestone, and while we still have work ahead, it’s moments like this that remind us of the power of teamwork and resilience. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this effort.

Laboratory results from sampling conducted Nov. 16 and Nov. 17 have confirmed that the water supply is free from contaminants. It is NO longer advised for customers to use bottled water for consumption.

Because Water Resources expects an initial increase in demand, customers are encouraged to temporarily avoid large-volume activities like filling bathtubs, watering landscaping, filling swimming pools and taking abnormally long showers. Otherwise, normal usage for consumption (drinking and cooking), hygiene (bathing and handwashing) and dishwashing may resume. Like it was before Helene, it is advisable for customers, especially those with plumbing installed before 1988, to flush your cold water tap for 30 seconds to two minutes before gathering water for consumption. That process should be followed daily.

Appliances with filters, such as icemakers and hot water heaters that have been turned off, can be turned back on. Please refer to manufacturer’s instructions on restarting those appliances if they were inactive for an extended period.

For progress updates on Water Resources’ recovery from Helene, visit ashevillenc.gov/helene/water-services-recovery or call 828-251-1122.

The Boil Water Notice has been lifted…now what?
Flush household pipes/faucets first: To flush your plumbing, remove aerators on faucets, run all your cold water faucets on full for at least 5 minutes each. If multiple floors in home, turn on faucets on lowest level and work your way to the top floor. If your service connection is long or complex (like in an apartment building) consider flushing for a longer period. Your building superintendent or landlord should be able to advise you on longer flushing times.

Automatic ice makers: Dump existing ice and flush the water feed lines by making and discarding three batches of ice cubes. Wipe down the ice bin with a disinfectant. If your water feed line to the machine is longer than 20 feet, increase to five batches.

Hot water heaters, water coolers, in line filters, and other appliances with direct water connections or water tanks: Run enough water to completely replace at least one full volume of all lines and tanks. If your filters are near the end of their life, replace them.

Water softeners: Run through a regeneration cycle.

Reverse Osmosis (RO) units: Replace pre-filters, check owner’s manual.

Replace other water filters, as they are disposable and may be contaminated. This applies especially to carbon filters and others that are near the end of their life.

Clean Aerators: remove all aerators from faucets and soak in bleach.

Showers: Flush for five minutes with a mix of hot and cold water.

Toilets: Flush and clean each toilet.

Dishwashers: If your machine has a sanitize cycle, run one cycle.

Outdoor Spigots: Flush for five minutes but disconnect the hose first.

Refrigerator Water Dispenser: Flush for five minutes or at least one quart of water.

Click here for other FAQs about the Water System.

For Thanksgiving week, well water testing will only take place on Monday, November 25.

Lead Awareness
The City of Asheville is confident there is no detectable level of lead in its source water. Plumbing in structures built before 1988 have increased potential to be a source of lead exposure if water sits undisturbed in plumbing. For this reason, customers in structures built before 1988 are advised to flush their system for 30 seconds to two minutes before consumption on a daily basis. The City of Asheville has received more than 2,000 requests from customers for kits to test their plumbing for the presence of lead. Participation in the City’s Lead Awareness Program usually receives about 5 requests for test kits per month. The data from this sampling will prove to be invaluable moving forward. To learn more about lead awareness, click here.

Residents, particularly those in homes built before 1988, are strongly encouraged to participate in Asheville’s free lead and copper testing program.

To request a testing kit, or for more information on protecting against lead exposure, contact Water Resources at 828-259-5962 or email leadprevention@ashevillenc.gov. Additional information is available online at ashevillenc.gov/leadawareness.