Asheville's water clarity improves; department explains plans for mobile treatment unit

A "plan B" could potentially clear up Asheville's water by early December, according to a Water Resources Department spokesperson.

Clay Chandler, speaking during Buncombe County's daily Helene recovery update on Monday, said the department will continue water treatment efforts at the North Fork Reservoir.

Chandler noted that a second round of treatment has made progress, attributing the improvement to installed curtains and favorable weather conditions. He said the city's water department is likely to begin a third round of treatment early next week.

ASHEVILLE OFFICIALS HOPEFUL AS NORTH FORK TREATMENT CONTINUES; RESULTS EXPECTED NEXT WEEK

Additionally, Chandler mentioned that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is developing an alternative mobile treatment unit, which could be operational by early December. He also addressed questions about water seeming to clear up over the weekend.

"Last Wednesday, North Fork started producing water through our existing filtration and treatment process at a reduced capacity," he said. "So, normally, North Fork pushes between 20 and 25 million gallons into our system. Right now, we're putting between 10 and 15 million gallons a day of treated water into the system. So, if you've noticed your water clearing up, that's why."

Chandler says it's possible the treatment plan could clear up the water before the Army Corps of Engineers' alternative mobile treatment unit. He said water resources will still conduct treatments on the North Fork Reservoir while that system is being installed.