Potable water served by the Regional Water Authority of Asheville, Buncombe and Henderson Counties System has been restored. Samples collected from multiple locations within the system have been analyzed in a State Certified Laboratory and found to be free of coliform bacteria. Based on these results, the continued presence of adequate disinfectant residuals and the maintenance of consistent pressure throughout the system, the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources has authorized rescinding the boil water advisory for all areas effective Wednesday, September 15, 11:20 a.m.

Some areas of the water system may continue to experience discolored water, and crews are flushing lines within those areas. Customers who experience discolored water or air in the lines are advised to wait until it is clear before using it. Residents, businesses and industries served by this system are urged to continue to report any leaks or problems to the City of Asheville Customer Services Division at (828) 251-1122.

Restoring water pressure to all customers has been delayed due to breaks in secondary water mains as a result of restoring the water pressure to the complete water system. Restoring the water pressure has created pressure spikes resulting in the additional breaks in the secondary water mains. The Asheville City Water Department is repairing these additional water line breaks as they are located, and hopes to soon have water pressure restored to all of its customers.

The restoration of water pressure to the gravity-fed water customers requires that the holding tanks located throughout Buncombe County, which provide the water pressure for the gravity-fed customers, have to be completely refilled before water pressure can be fully restored. With the additional breaks in the secondary water mains and the tremendous volume of water that is required to fill simultaneously all of the empty holding tanks, there were some delays in restoring water pressure to some Asheville City water customers. However, the Asheville City Water Department now has all of the secondary water main breaks repaired and all holding tanks filled.

Road Closures: All Asheville City Roads are now open.

Asheville Transit Update: City bus service is operating under its regular schedule, but will not travel on hazardous and/or barricaded roadways.

Park Closures: Recreation Park, Charles D. Owen Park and all river parks will be closed indefinitely due to damage from the flooding. The river parks include Ledges Whitewater Park, Walnut Island, Bent Creek, Corcoran Paige, Glen Bridge and Hominy Creek.

The WNC Nature Center, Lake Julian, Skyland Recreation Center, Aston Park Tennis Center, North Buncombe Park, Hominy Valley Park and the Buncombe County Sports Park are open. The Buncombe County Golf Course is open with only the back nine holes in use.

For more information please call Buncombe County Parks & Recreation Services at 298.6118 or e-mail [email protected]

Sanitation Services: Sanitation and recycling collection routes are on schedule. Any customers who cannot be serviced due to hazardous roadways or flooding will be serviced as soon as conditions improve.

Help Needed

1) MANNA is needing about a dozen volunteers to help sort food. If anyone is interested please call Karen at 299-3663. Thanks!

2) Meals on Wheels is in desperate need of volunteers immediately. They can go directly to the agency. The address is 146 Victoria Rd. and they need to go to the back of the building. They can call Terry Winger at 253-5286 (although it is difficult to get anyone to answer)

Post-Flood Safety Tips: Find safety tips from FEMA at www.fema.gov/pdf/hazards/fststpbr.pdf and www.fema.gov/hazards/floods/coping.shtm.

Please visit www.ashevillenc.gov for further updates throughout the day.

Biltmore Village and Biltmore Estate Show Remarkable Resilience in Wake of Flood
What a difference a day makes � after dreadful, torrential rains left floodwaters estimated at over six feet lapping at the front gate entrance to the Biltmore Estate and covering much of Biltmore Village on Wednesday afternoon (September 8, 2004), Thursday�s bright sunny skies and pleasant breezes ushered in workers who spent their day removing the mud and debris left behind as the waters receded. The Biltmore Estate is open � floodwaters never threatened any structures on the massive property, that is, anything beyond the gift shop at Biltmore Village entrance, which received some damage. More details