Water restored for some in Asheville area unsafe to drink from tap [Video]

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (FOX Carolina) – Access to water continues to be one of the biggest issues facing people in the mountains of western North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Officials in Buncombe County released new information on Friday about plans to alleviate the water crisis – and a safety warning for consumers.

Officials announced that after consulting with the EPA, they will be temporarily moving water from the North Fork Reservoir into distribution lines without putting it through the treatment plant first.

Helene churned up a lot of sediment in the reservoir, creating murky water that can’t currently pass through the treatment plant filter without causing significant damage.

When service is restored to customers who received water from the North Fork reservoir, it will contain a large amount of sediment for now. They are heavily chlorinating the water to disinfect it, but a mandatory boil-water advisory is in …