Water and other updates from the City of Hendersonville

Press release from the City of Hendersonville: 

WATER UPDATES:

We have additional information and updates on the Hendersonville Water System. First and foremost, we appreciate the conservation measures being taken by customers who have water. Your sacrifices are helping us restore pressure and refill reservoirs with the ultimate goal of returning water service to all our valued customers.

What you need to know right now:

Currently all Hendersonville water customers remain under a system pressure advisory. Portions of the water system are experiencing outages and periods of low pressure in the distribution system.

Once an account owner’s water service is restored, customers who have electric or alternative power are advised to boil all water used for human consumption (including drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation). Those without power are advised to use bottled water for the purposes mentioned above. Interruptions of water service require the issuance of a System Pressure Advisory.

Our partners at Henderson County have tirelessly worked to establish resource hubs at various community locations to distribute bottled water. If you are in need of bottled water, we recommend you obtain it at these hubs as well as the many organizations throughout the community who are stepping up to provide assistance.

Water restoration updates:

Crews have made great progress in accessing flood damage at the Water Treatment Plant and due to their efforts, the plant’s ability to treat water has almost returned to pre-storm levels.

There are still multiple line breaks and leaks throughout the distribution system. Crews are making good progress in assessing damaged lines and infrastructure, although some areas of the County are still posing challenges in terms of access. Staff are continuing to assess the situation and are evaluating locations where water is being lost in the system, and working to isolate them.

We are aware that portions of the system, including communities in the Fletcher area, Edneyville and areas east of I-26, and Saluda are without water. As the repairs are made and reservoirs fill, the utility will begin bringing sections of the system back into water and repair line breaks.

It will take time to bring the system back to normal levels and distribution ability. Staff are prioritizing areas with the highest number of impacted customers and critical public health and safety customers. We are pleased that due to the around-the-clock work of our staff, we were able to restore water service to our local hospitals early in the recovery efforts.

At this time, general questions related to recovery efforts can be directed to the Henderson County’s call center number at 828-771-6670.

Customers who are fortunate enough to have water are asked to conserve water for only essential uses until the system can be repaired and water restored to all customers.

PUBLIC SAFETY:

As Duke Energy and its contractors continue work to restore power across Henderson County, assume all downed power lines are live.

Many traffic lights in the city and county are still without power; when traffic lights at an intersection are out, drivers should treat it as a four-way stop.

CITY OFFICES:

The Hendersonville City Government Offices are closed until further notice.

The City Council will hold a Special Called Meeting on Thursday, October 3 at 5:45 p.m. on the 2^nd floor of City Hall at 160 6^th Avenue East.

SANITATION:

City of Hendersonville Public Works will begin collecting solid waste and recycling today throughout the day. Collection will not follow the regular schedule according to customers’ assigned pickup days. Customers may put their solid waste and recycling carts on the street and crews will note their locations and collect as they are able. Excess residential garbage in tied and secured bags placed next to carts will also be collected with no additional fees.

Organized brush and debris may also be left by the curb, though storm debris pickup is not guaranteed. Henderson County and the City of Hendersonville will provide additional storm debris information as it is available.

Garbage and recycling should be left on the street until they are picked up, as collection will not be running on the typical schedule and the city is suspending typical rules on leaving carts on the street outside of normal collection times.

Brush and debris should be kept away from cans and any hazards, such as downed power lines. Items placed near hazards will not be collected.

DONATIONS:

Henderson County is accepting requests for supply donations for the community, through partnership with the Henderson County Tourism Development Authority. Please contact Helene-donations@hcem.org if you are interested in donating items. The requested items include water, diapers, wipes, formula, hand sanitizer and more. Most items will be accepted except perishable goods, clothing and shoes.

Financial donations can be made at: https://checkout.square.site/…/W3JSAQFWKYWJ4OTALKHPRW34

We remind you that 911 should only be used for emergencies.

The Henderson County Emergency Operations Center Phone Number can be called at 828-771-6670 for information and resource connection.

Henderson County information is available at https://www.hendersoncountync.gov/em/page/emergency-information

City specific information is available at www.hvlnc.gov/helene