For almost two months, Hurricane Helene left the city of Asheville’s tap water unsafe to drink.
While the boil water notice was lifted on Nov. 18, and lead has not been found in the city’s water supply — if residents’ homes were built before the mid-1980s, Blue Ridge Public Radio reported. The city does advise residents to flush water pipes for at least 30 seconds to prevent risks from potential lead contamination.
In some places, the disruptions will be harder to mitigate — it could take years to fully recover some rural water systems in North Carolina.
But Helene isn’t the only challenge facing the state’s water. Despite the flooding in western North Carolina, much of the state is under a drought, and mines and railroad construction pose threats to waterways. North Carolina also has more private wells than any other state — and they are often not tested for contamination, especially in low-income areas.
On the next Charlotte Talks, we consider the rivers, lakes, drinking water, and stability of North Carolina’s water systems.
GUESTS:
Dr. Kathie Dello, state climatologist of North Carolina
Brandon Jones, chief scientist and Catawba Riverkeeper for the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation
Zachary Turner, environmental reporter for WFAE
