Southern area update
As of last night, service was restored to the entire southern service area. All Boil Water Advisories for the southern service area have been lifted as of this morning. This includes the Cliffs at Walnut Cove which was the last area in the southern area to come back into service.
Western area update
Stabilized system pressure in the south will help those in the west awaiting service as water levels continue to improve system wide. As pressure continues to recharge in the west, customers will continue to see service and pressure fluctuations as full service is restored. The western service area where water has been restored remains under a Boil Water Advisory.
Pressure continues to rise in the lines that feed Candler Knob and Spivey Mountain area which is encouraging for the efforts to restore water service in these higher elevation areas.
It is important to remember that variables such as pressures in different lines within the system and elevation of homes and businesses will result in not all customers seeing full service restored at the same time.
Call customer service at 251-1122 if experiencing water outages. Intermittent water loss and/or low pressure is still possible as the pressures stabilize.
You can also find information at Buncombe County’s website regarding non-potable water distribution.
What you should do with discolored water
If your water service has been restored but it is discolored, flush only cold water lines by running water through the faucets. If the cloudy or discolored water does not clear up after 5 minutes of flushing, please be patient and wait an hour before flushing again. Water conservation is still needed where possible to help neighbors in western Buncombe County return to service. Customers can also call 828-251-1122 with questions regarding flushing during this event or discolored water.
Visit the Interactive Boil Water Advisory Map to check the status of your address. Asheville Boil Water Advisory Map.
Visit the Interactive Water Restoration Map to check the status of water restoration at your address. Service Restoration Progress Map.
Water testing continues
The City of Asheville water department tests water quality, at multiple points throughout the system, every day. As that continues to take place, the City of Asheville has increased the amount of samples collected daily to ensure water quality in areas that have lost service.
Fire hydrants will be discharging water
The community may notice hydrants that are discharging water in your neighborhood. DO NOT tamper with hydrants – they are flowing to remove air from water lines which is critical in getting the entire system pressurized and back in service. It is illegal to tamper with fire hydrants.
Water delivery available January 2
Water delivery will continue on Jan. 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Water is available for drinking, personal hygiene, flushing toilets and any other sanitation needs and can be delivered to you.
Please call Water Customer Service at 251-1122, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to report outages and make requests for water. Please do not call 911 for water delivery, leaks or outages. Please call the Water Customer Service line at 251-1122 instead.
Use of the Water Customer Service line is critical to ensure emergency management is able to have a full understanding of the numbers of people in need. Grassroots efforts to support neighbors are encouraged through the duration of all incidents. When that support involves distribution of water, we ask grassroots contributors to please call the Water Customer Service line to ensure emergency management is able to incorporate that information in overall community response efforts.
Since the program began over 2,100 community members in need have been served.
County water distribution
Find information at Buncombe County’s website regarding non-potable water distribution.
A community response
Many thanks to all members of the community for your continued conservation efforts and to those who have assisted their neighbors that do not have water.
Special thanks to community partner YMCA of Western North Carolina for providing facilities for taking showers for the community at all of their locations near Asheville. Facilities are open today for individuals that do not have water and need to shower. YMCA locations and hours of operation can be found online here.
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Find information at Buncombe County’s website regarding non-potable water distribution.
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