The Wednesday, Nov. 6, Buncombe County Helene recovery briefing covered a water system update, Asheville parks reopening, post-election information and more.
Also included were daily updates on food and water distribution and locations of Community Care Centers where showers, laundry and other essentials are available.
Briefings go live on the Buncombe County Facebook page at 11 a.m. on weekdays. You can also find recordings of past briefings on the page. Here’s what was covered in Wednesday’s briefing.
Asheville water system updates
Clay Chandler, a representative for the city’s water systems, provided an update on water quality and treatment.
As of early this morning, turbidity had fallen below 18. It hovered around 18 for most of Nov. 5, though Chandler added that the reading on the website showing 18.8 was taken earlier in the morning. More aluminum sulfate and caustic soda has been ordered for a third round of treatment that the department hopes to have underway by Monday afternoon, Nov. 11.
Chlorination has been reduced to 2.5 parts per million. This is down from 4, and previous readings of 6 and 8. Chandler called this “great, great progress.” Generally, the department treats chlorine between 1.5-1.8.
The efforts to push treated and filtered water into the system has risen to 17 million gallons per day, almost double the amount being pushed in a week ago. Chandler added that the success of this process is contingent on the reservoir continuing to fall.
Instillation of the new primary 24 inch and 36 inch transmission mains was completed Nov. 5 night. These and the bypass are all in service 36 days after teams were able to access the job site.
“I don’t think enough could be said about how quickly our partners in the private sector have helped us get to this point,” Chandler said.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is in the early stages of implementing an alternative treatment project that could possibly be operational as early as late November or early December. They are currently in the procurement stage of the project, which is on schedule.
Post-Helene safety
Asheville Police Department Chief Mike Lamb warned of “significant dangers” that still exist in areas of Asheville post-Helene. He reminded the public that the county’s emergency declaration remains active due to extensive hazards.
Damage particularly on South Tunnel Road, Swannanoa River Road, Thompson St., Biltmore Village, Lyman St. and Riverside Drive will require substantial time for recovery and restoration. These areas contain damaged roadways and sidewalks, compromised utility lines and hidden hazards concealed by debris and sediment.
Ongoing recovery operations often involve heavy equipment. The city has installed barricades and warning signs to indicate closed areas with restricted access. Only authorized individuals may enter these zones with permission. Lamb said that these restrictions exist for the safety of the public and the workers in these zones. APD officers and other law enforcement agents are patrolling these areas. Pay close attention to road closure signage.
More: Blue Ridge Parkway reopens through Asheville corridor, Folk Art Center to open Saturday
How to recycle political signs
Political signs can be recycled starting today at Curbie’s facility at 116 N. Woodfin Ave. in Asheville for proper disposal and recycling. To make the process as easy as possible, two separate carts will be available. Drop off the signs and stakes in their designated carts.
Waste disposal, trash pickup in Buncombe County
WastePro will operate normal routes for household trash and recycling in accessible locations today in Swannanoa.
Bagged trash drop-off is 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. This service will be available:
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Wednesday, Nov. 6: At the truck parked at Hearts With Hands at 850 Warren Wilson Road, Swannanoa.
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Thursday, Nov. 7: Ingles Fairview at 225 Charlotte Highway, Asheville.
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Friday, Nov 8: North Buncombe Pool at 734 Clarks Chapel Road in Weaverville.
So far in Buncombe County, more than 61,000 cubic yards of storm debris have been collected. There are 38 trucks running in the county, with seven more on the way. These trucks are focused on collection in hard-hit areas including Swannanoa, Black Mountain, Barnardsville, Lower Brush Creek and Julian Shoals.
Debris collection will eventually happen on private roads. However, this requires additional legal authority. For now, the county is focusing on public roads and rights of way.
The transfer station is open Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Community Care Station locations
Community Care Centers are open daily from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. with showers, laundry and more. All Community Care Centers now have ADA accessible showers and bathrooms. Laundry drop-off and pickup is available at the Swannanoa Ingles.
Locations of Community Care Stations are:
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At Home Store parking lot
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Big Lots/Innsbrook mall
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Buncombe County Sports Park
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Bethel United Methodist
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Fairview Ingles
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Swannanoa Ingles
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Owen Pool
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Morgan Hill Baptist Church
Where to get food and water in Buncombe County
Water and meals ready to eat are available at distribution sites daily at:
Post-election in Buncombe County
Corrine Duncan, a representative for the Buncombe County Elections Office, said that county operations during the 2024 general election went smoothly.
The county had a high turnout of nearly 74% – not as high as 2020’s 78%, but it is still high turnout for the county and surpassed the state average by a percentage point.
All 80 precincts opened on time, and the county had results posted before 9:30 p.m.
Asheville parks reopen
More city parks and recreation community centers officially opened today, Nov. 6. This means buildings and outdoor spaces surrounding them are also open. While facilities are reopening, most regularly scheduled programs and events at community centers are on hold.
As of today’s openings, more than half of the parks in the city are now open. City Manager Deborah Campbell warned that parks that remained closed are not safe to access.
Visit ashevillenc.gov/parks for more information.
Veteran’s Day ceremony Asheville
A Veteran’s Day ceremony will be held at the Charles George VA Center on Monday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. The community is encouraged to attend to honor our veterans. A video of the ceremony will also be available on the city of Asheville’s YouTube channel at 3 p.m. that day.
Free parking in Asheville
Campbell reminded the community that parking is currently free in all city garages and parking spaces. If you require long-term parking, please use a city garage to help keep street parking available.
Parking enforcement has been resumed specifically for loading zones and handicapped parking spaces. Do not park in or block loading zones or handicapped spaces or you will be ticketed.
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Buncombe Helene recovery: Water improves, hazards still exist
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