DRINKERS BEWARE: Writer Alan Muskat warns that the water from this pipe along Highway 9 near Black Mountain — that some people use as a source of drinking water — may be contaminated. Photo by Alan Muskat
The runoff pipe on Highway 9, about 3 miles south of Interstate 40, sometimes referred to as the Cricket Hill or Lakey Gap spring, has, according to a video posted to YouTube in 2020, been professionally tested repeatedly and found to be consistently contaminated with E. coli and occasionally with coliform as well. I myself have contracted blastocystis repeatedly and believe it may have been from this water.
A post about the pipe from 2016 reads, “I spoke with the homeowner … the water that flows out of the pipe comes from the last of three holding tanks. … He warned me that they have pulled dead animals from the tank before.”
It’s possible that this water is not even a true spring, or entirely one, but rather, surface water runoff. Sources: [avl.mx/prwh] and [avl.mx/prwi].
— Alan Muskat Asheville
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3 thoughts on “Letter: Don’t drink the water”
Cecil Bothwell
Yikes! That was my principal drinking water source from 1982 to 2002. Water always tasted sweet. Never got sick. But good for you to warn people now!
Eric
This is like reading a blog from 1812.
Roberto
I’d like to see that water source closed, not so much because of the potential contamination issue, but for the hazard that creates at that spot. Folks standing in the road, vehicles that are still parked partially in the road with the doors open, people that are stark naked bathing there, and all of this just feet from a blind curve.
Yikes! That was my principal drinking water source from 1982 to 2002. Water always tasted sweet. Never got sick. But good for you to warn people now!
This is like reading a blog from 1812.
I’d like to see that water source closed, not so much because of the potential contamination issue, but for the hazard that creates at that spot. Folks standing in the road, vehicles that are still parked partially in the road with the doors open, people that are stark naked bathing there, and all of this just feet from a blind curve.
Shut it off.