News from the South - North Carolina News Feed
March toward normal turbidity continues, as third coagulation treatment is underway for Asheville’s water • Asheville Watchdog
A third round of in-reservoir turbidity treatment started Wednesday at the North Fork Reservoir, as a crucial measurement on the path toward potable water continues to drop.
Water Resources Department spokesperson Clay Chandler said at Wednesday’s daily Helene briefing that the turbidity measurement, Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTUs), stood at 14.8 in the morning. A week ago it stood at 18.
“So it’s still falling,” Chandler said.
The city is now filtering about 20 million gallons of water a day through North Fork, which provides 80 percent of Asheville’s drinking water, and another 3 million gallons daily through its Mills River treatment plant. That leaves the water department just 4 million gallons a day short of being able to pressurize the entire system. That’s the threshold for again providing potable water, which the city has not delivered since Sept. 27 when Helene washed out the main transmission lines and a backup line, and essentially turned North Fork upside down.
Besides the turbidity treatment, which involves an application of aluminum sulfate and caustic soda in the reservoir to foster coagulation and sinking of clay particles, the city is also moving forward on a partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide a portable filtration system that can handle high-turbidity water. While ideally the city needs the NTU level to hit 1.5 to 2.0 for optimum water production, the Corps’ system can handle higher NTU.
Regarding the Corps of Engineers “interim pretreatment system,” Chandler said, “the private contractor who will perform the work conducted a site visit Monday afternoon, and equipment and materials started arriving yesterday.”
The timeline for completion of that project remains the same — late November or early December. That depends on the weather, though.
The city has a two-pronged approach to returning to potable water service: continue reducing turbidity while increasing the amount of water that can be filtered, and installing the Army Corps technology to filter more turbid water.
Chandler has said previously that once the city is pushing enough potable water, it will have to flush the entire system and then repressurize it, which could take two and a half to three weeks. Asked if the city currently being able to push through more water than expected, the 20 million gallons per day, could shorten that flushing timetable, Chandler said, “Theoretically, that’s possible.
“But you know, that’s all going to depend on the back-end bacterial testing that we’ll do once that process starts,” Chandler said. “But theoretically, yes, it could speed it up, but that’s no guarantee.”
Potable water’s return still will likely come in early to mid-December. The water continues to clear, and Chandler said Wednesday that is in part because workers are now seeing much finer silt particles instead of the heavy, muddy material they encountered right after the storm, when North Fork turned completely brown.
The city remains under a boil water notice for all residents. The tap water the city is providing is acceptable for showering, flushing toilets and doing laundry, but residents should use bottled water for consumption. If you must use tap water for consumption, it has to be boiled for at least one minute.
Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. John Boyle has been covering Asheville and surrounding communities since the 20th century. You can reach him at (828) 337-0941, or via email at jboyle@avlwatchdog.org. The Watchdog’s local reporting during this crisis is made possible by donations from the community. To show your support for this vital public service go to avlwatchdog.org/support-our-publication/.
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News from the South - North Carolina News Feed
Two people unaccounted for in Spring Lake after flash flooding
SUMMARY: Two people are missing in Spring Lake after severe flash flooding. Heavy rain has caused significant flooding, especially near East Nash Street and Highway 581 around US64, resulting in road closures. Emergency crews from Nash County, including sheriffs, state troopers, and swiftwater rescue teams, are actively searching for the missing individuals. One officer swept away earlier was safely located. Floodwaters remain dangerously high, prompting warnings for residents to exercise caution. Reporters on scene emphasize the seriousness of the situation and the ongoing heavy rainfall, promising live updates as rescue efforts continue.
WRAL reporter Heidi Kirk was live from the scene as crews continued to search for the two missing people.
News from the South - North Carolina News Feed
Ideas for helping NC child care industry are solidifying, but a top suggestion faces headwinds
SUMMARY: North Carolina’s Child Care Task Force, led by Gov. Josh Stein, Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt, and Sen. Jim Burgin, is addressing child care affordability, workforce pay, and financial stability, especially in rural areas. Child care providers struggle financially due to low subsidies and high costs, with infant care averaging $11,720 annually statewide. Owners like Halee Hartley and Annette Anderson-Samuels work multiple jobs to sustain their centers. The task force prioritizes raising minimum subsidy reimbursement rates to support providers equitably across counties. Discussions include establishing a child care endowment fund, leveraging philanthropy to supplement funding amid uncertain state and federal budgets.
The post Ideas for helping NC child care industry are solidifying, but a top suggestion faces headwinds appeared first on ncnewsline.com
News from the South - North Carolina News Feed
Court docs show Harris Lake boating suspect had prior legal troubles
SUMMARY: Court documents reveal Quinton Kite, charged with causing a deadly boating accident at Harris Lake that killed a 10-year-old girl and critically injured a woman, had prior legal troubles. Kite was out on a $15,000 bond from a December 2023 felony hit-and-run charge involving Alex Meyers, who was seriously injured but survived. Dashcam and security footage showed Kite’s damaged truck after leaving the crash scene. Meyers expressed frustration that earlier legal action might have prevented the tragedy. Additionally, court records from New Mexico show Kite pleaded no contest to a 2009 DUI charge, completed probation, and attended DWI school.
That includes arrests in 2009 and pending charges from a hit-and-run in 2023 that injured a Vass resident.
https://abc11.com/post/quinten-kight-court-documents-reveal-prior-legal-troubles-man-charged-harris-lake-boating-tragedy/17435804/
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