While state and local officials wrestle over the fate of the Asheville Water System, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. has learned it can supply most of the water the brewery will need from a well on its property in Mills River.
In January, the California-based company announced it was building an East Coast expansion facility in Western North Carolina, and initial plans called for the company to purchase water from Asheville, whose water lines serve the site.
After the announcement, Sierra Nevada decided to drill for water at Ferncliff Industrial Park, where the company has purchased 100 of the park’s available 262 acres for development. On the second attempt, officials tapped into a dream water source.
According to Stan Cooper, who will co-manage the Mills River plant, the well will generate about 160 gallons of water per minute, which is roughly 50 gallons a minute more than Sierra Nevada needs for the brewing process.
Isn’t that area a brownfield? Kinda of surprised the well water below it is potable.