Press release from the Buncombe County Health and Human Services Department:
Buncombe County Health and Human Services, in conjunction with N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health and N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources is issuing a precautionary advisory pending a water quality investigation for the French Broad River from the intersection of Lyman St and Old Lyman St in Asheville, NC to the county line of Madison County, NC.
A line break in a municipal sewage line near Lyman and Old Lyman Streets entered into the French Broad River during the afternoon and evening hours of September 21, 2018.
The Department of Environmental Quality is working to obtain and test samples of the water at downstream locations to determine the impact of the line break.
Until the water is tested and declared safe, public health officials recommend people and pets avoid all contact with water from that portion of the French Broad River. This includes such activities as fishing, swimming, wading, tubing, or rafting until further notice. Contact with or ingestion of sewage can cause health problems for humans and animals alike. Anyone who encounters the water should wash thoroughly with clean water and soap as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please contact Buncombe County Health and Human Services at (828) 250-5037 and select option 1 OR 2.
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