Helene North Fork Sampling Plan for
Raw Water & Distribution System
Submitted by City of Asheville Water Resources to and approved by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency and the State of North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Distribution Sampling Performed
Distribution Total Coliform, E.Coli Sampling, Chlorine Residual Sampling
Crews were targeting a collection of 40-60 samples each day depending on distance between locations, water present at the sampling sites, incubator capacity, and the ability to reach sample site locations.
October 3, 2024 to October 11, 2024 - Distribution Sampling Results
October 12, 2024 to October 31, 2024 - Distribution Sample Results
November 2024 - Distribution Sample Results
Raw Water Sampling Performed
Nitrate
The initial sample was collected on October 15, 2024. On October 21, raw water sampling was completed once per week and continued until the normal treatment process was restored. All results were below detection limits.
Cryptosporidium
Samples were collected on October 29, 2024 and November 17, 2024.
No Cryptosporidium or Giardia was detected in the raw (source) water in both instances.
Raw (Source) Water Total Coliform / E. Coli, pH, Turbidity
Total Coliform, E.Coli, pH, and Turbidity were analyzed each day as part of operations. This also occurs every day under normal conditions.
Manganese & Iron
Manganese & Iron concentrations were monitored once per day starting October 15, 2024 until the treatment facility was able to start normal operations at North Fork. Once treatment resumed, weekly Manganese & Iron testing resumed.
Lead and Copper
The first round of Lead and Copper samples were collected at all Buncombe County and City of Asheville Elementary Schools from October 17, 2024 through October 28, 2024 . Participating private schools and childcare facility sampling occurred October 23rd and 24th of 2024.
All City of Asheville Schools, Buncombe County Schools, and participating private schools results since Tropical Storm Helene are below.
Elementary and Childcare Facility Lead and Copper Results
Buncombe County, Asheville City Schools and Participating Private Schools
The link below contains all the results that have been received since Tropical Storm Helene.
Lead and Copper Results - Residential and Businesses
These are the results of homes that the City had tested before Helene in July 2024, and the results after Helene in early December 2024.
July 2024 and December 2024 Lead and Copper Sampling Pool Comparison