Press release from the City of Asheville:
WATER UTILITY SERVICE
The City of Asheville has lifted the Boil Water Notice for all water customers as of November 18. Water Resources lab staff finished sampling the distribution system early Sunday afternoon, and results have confirmed that the water supply is free from contaminants. Customers may resume normal usage of the water system. It is no longer necessary to use bottled water for consumption, although water distribution and services provided at Community Care Stations at listed locations will continue until further notice.
While an increase in demand is expected, Water Resources is asking customers 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. Appliances with filters, such as icemakers and water heaters that have been turned off, can be turned back on. Please refer to manufacturer’s instructions on restarting those appliances if they have been inactive for an extended period.
The City of Asheville is confident there is no detectable level of lead in its source water. Plumbing in structures built before 1988 have the potential to be a source of lead exposure if lead leaches into water traveling through private property pipes. Lead exposure poses significant health risks, especially for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children under the age of 6, if ingested. 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. If you have concerns regarding exposure to lead and are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have children under 6 please contact your healthcare provider. No water bills are currently being issued, so additional flushing will not incur costs for residents.
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.
RENTAL ASSISTANCE
The City of Asheville is partnering with Eblen Charities to provide rental assistance to those affected by Hurricane Helene. You can find the application forms and more information at https://www.eblencharities.org/programs/
STORM DEBRIS COLLECTION
City staff and contractors are actively working to remove storm debris. Due to the volume of debris, we cannot provide exact times and locations for collection. Collection will be ongoing. As of November 16, over 88,000 cubic yards of storm debris located in City parks is being collected. Beginning this week, contractors will begin to collect trees and storm debris that are hanging or leaning over the right of way. Today the contractor will have 30 trucks running. The zones will be as follows:
1 grapples/trailers in the (Zone 1)
1 grapples/trailers in the (Zone 2)
6 grapples/trailers in the (Zone 3)
9 grapples/trailers in the (Zones 4 & 5)
5 grapples/trailers in the (Zones 6)
8 grapples/trailers in the (Zones 7 & 8)
Additional information can be found at ashevillenc.gov/helene/debris-removal
- The community can place storm debris at the curb in the right of way. Debris should be separated at the curb by category: construction, appliances, electronics, vegetative, and household hazardous materials. There will be multiple passes at collection – you do not have to have it all out at once.
- The contractor cannot collect directly from private property. However, if your pile starts at the curb in the right-of-way and stretches into your yard in a continuous manner, their equipment can reach about 18 feet as long as there are no overhead lines or obstructions.
- Do not place or lean debris near or on trees, poles or other structures including fire hydrants, meters, and curbside trash carts. Do not block the roadway. Ensure access for large trucks & emergency vehicles.
- Do not attempt the cleanup process without proper protective equipment: long pants, safety glasses, gloves and sturdy shoes are recommended.
PRIVATE PROPERTY STORM DEBRIS REMOVAL
Starting on Nov. 19, Buncombe County property owners, including City of Asheville residents, impacted by Hurricane Helene, who do not have debris removal insurance, may apply to have qualified disaster debris removed from their property at no cost through the Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) Program. The program also covers the demolition of eligible unsafe structures. More information can be found at ashevillenc.gov/helene/debris-removal/
ART BUS SERVICE
ART bus service will continue to be free of charge to all community members until further notice.
FOOD & WATER DISTRIBUTION
Food, bottled drinking water, and bulk water for flushing (please bring your own containers, like 1⁄2 gallon buckets and water totes) are being distributed throughout the area. Please see below the City of Asheville and Buncombe County at the locations and times:
- Sky Lanes Bowling Alley, 1477 Patton Avenue, Asheville – 9a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Black Mountain Ingles, 550 NC-9, Black Mountain, 28711 – 12p.m. – 4p.m.
- Fairview Ingles, 225 Charlotte Highway – 12p.m. – 4p.m.
- Swannanoa Ingles, 2299 US 70, Swannanoa – 7a.m. – 7p.m.
- Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Road, Asheville – 9a.m. – 7p.m. (no bulk water for flushing)
- Pack Square Park, 70 Court Plaza – 9a.m. – 7p.m.
- Buncombe County Sports Park, 58 Apac Dr., Candler – 7a.m. – 7p.m.
- 980 Brevard Rd in the At Home store parking lot – 9a.m. – 7p.m.
- 85 Tunnel Rd in the Innsbruck shopping center parking lot – 9a.m. – 7p.m.
COMMUNITY CARE STATIONS
Community Care Stations are set up across Buncombe County, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily, offering hot showers, laundry, wi-fi, bathrooms, charging stations, water, and meals. All amenities are free to the public. Please bring your own towels and toiletries for showering. All locations have an ADA accessible shower and restroom.
Community Care Station locations:
- Owen Pool, 117 Stone Dr
- Fairview Ingles, 225 Charlotte Hwy
- At Home Store (Parking Lot), 980 Brevard Rd
- Big Lots/Innsbruck Mall, 85 Tunnel Rd
- Bethel United Methodist, 1050 Riceville Rd
- Swannanoa Ingles, 2319 US Hwy 70
Morgan Hill Baptist Church, 594 Barnardsville Hwy- Buncombe County Sports Park, 58 Apac Dr.
STORM DEBRIS MANAGEMENT SITES
Storm debris removal is critical for community safety and there continues to be a sense of urgency about debris removal. The longer storm debris remains in our neighborhoods and business areas, the longer we are living with fire and safety hazards. Storm debris removal is also critical to businesses reopening and economic recovery. Temporary sites are necessary to process and ultimately remove debris from our community. Temporary sites will be diligently monitored for safety and compliance with environmental regulations. Safety will remain at the forefront of every decision and we remain committed to outreach and information sharing in residential and business neighborhoods near any temporary site. The activities at temporary sites include: debris staging, grinding, compacting and preparation for hauling to a permanent site outside of the city. No toxic hazardous materials will be brought to temporary sites. Temporary sites will receive construction and demolition materials, appliances, electronics, and vegetative material. Some designated areas will also serve as temporary sites for vehicles and household hazardous waste (HHW), which includes normal household items like household cleaning chemicals, paint, and small propane tanks. HHW will be contained to prevent leaching into soil.
- Hardesty Lane Site – this site is permitted and is actively being utilized by the contractor
- Enka Commerce Park Site – this site is actively permitted and being utilized by the contractor
- Julian Shoals – this site is permitted and is actively being utilized by the contractor
- 65 Ford Street – will only be used if needed. With the exception of vegetative debris, storm debris on this site will be removed.
- Front 9 of the Municipal Golf Course – will only be used if needed.More information on storm debris processing sites can be found at www.ashevillenc.gov/helene/debris-removal
FEMA DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER
FEMA announced changes to the hours of operation for Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) across North Carolina. These decisions were made in partnership with the state and local governments. Effective Monday, November 25, DRCs will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. All DRCs are now closed Sundays. DRCs will be closed November 28 – December 1 for Thanksgiving weekend. All DRCs will reopen 8 a.m. Monday, December 2.
City offices are open to the public. Burning yard waste, leaves and debris is not allowed within city limits due to many safety concerns.
Public officials will hold news briefings Monday – Friday at 11 a.m. The briefings are streamed live at facebook.com/buncombeGov and broadcast on Blue Ridge Public Radio 88.1 FM. You can also listen on the Asheville Media Group stations at 105.9, 96.5, 98.1, 105.5 and 97.3 (Spanish) and iHeart radio stations at 99.9, 104.3, 105.1, and 570 AM.5432
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