I am surprised that people aren’t up in arms over our town's water crisis. Since October 2012 we have been experiencing murky water running from our taps in north Asheville, near UNCA, yet still paying the full price for water and sewer service! It has been six months. After several expensive clogged filters (whole house, and at tap level), a sediment encrusted hot water tank, stained clothes and bath towels, buying bottled water and receiving no further answers than "we're working on it," I'm near the end of my rope. The water is so bad at our house that we take showers at the gym or at work, basically using our water to flush toilets and wash dishes, which grosses me out, but I have to do it. …
As I quote from a recent Asheville Citizen-Times article, "[Operations Manager Ron] Kerns said that while the murky water isn’t harmful, customers are advised to wait until it runs clear before drinking it." [To view the referenced article, visit http://avl.mx/pc.] Are you kidding me? The water doesn't run clear, ever. It's like the French Broad is pouring out of my tap. …
I understand that this water is cleaner than most people in Third World countries can even hope for, and I feel lucky to live in comfort. I also understand that the water system contains hundreds of miles of pipes and lines, and someone feels this is a necessary project, but I am wasting hundreds of my dollars in the meantime. Not only am I paying to "flush the lines" (which never flush), I am also paying for the ensuing sewer/treatment charges as my water wastes down the drain.
I have been in contact with representatives from the water department who have offered to look at our bills for possible reductions. I encourage others to do the same. I wouldn't pay for a meal in a restaurant if it came out inedible. I wouldn't pay my gas bill if the fuel didn't light the furnace. I wouldn't pay my cable bill if the channels were all scrambled. I don't feel we should be paying full price for a service we can't use. Charge me to flush my toilets, that's all this water is good for. March is a long way away.
— Gita George
Asheville
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