Full announcement from the city of Asheville:
ASHEVILLE – The City of Asheville Water Resources Department is anticipating discolored water in the coming days and weeks ahead. Contractors are using camera systems inside of our main water lines to evaluate their condition, which is stirring up sediment in the pipes. This critical pipe infrastructure is between 50 and 90 years old, and is responsible for delivering an average of 16.5 million gallons of water to the Asheville and Buncombe County areas on a daily basis. We have crews available around the clock that will flush hydrants downstream from the work to lessen the discoloration. Contractors conducting the evaluation plan to work on the project 5 days a week, Monday through Friday. The portion of the project causing the discolored water is scheduled to last through mid to late March 2013.
Customers who experience discolored water should call the Customer Services division at (828) 251-1122 to report it. A call allows the Water Resources Department to flush where needed in order to help clear the discolored water from the reported location.
While the water is safe for cleaning, hand washing and bathing, we recommend the discolored water not be used for cooking or drinking as a precaution. We are monitoring bacteria levels, and the system is closed so there is no belief that pathogens entered the system. A boil advisory has not been issued.
Customers are advised not to wash clothing with the discolored water because it may cause stains.
Customers experiencing discolored water may consider running faucets for a short period of time to rid pipes of discolored water. Customers are reminded hot water heaters store water and if discolored water has entered the tank, it may take the hot water longer to return to normal.
Customers are also encouraged to check residential filters and faucet screens for sediments. In many cases this is simple and involves unscrewing the screen at the head of a faucet.
Once water color returns to normal it is safe for all uses.
The City of Asheville thanks water customers for their patience during this process to ensure longevity and sustainability to the City of Asheville water system.
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