Water Treatment System Returns Safe Drinking Water to UNC Asheville Campus - TribPapers
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Water Treatment System Returns Safe Drinking Water to UNC Asheville Campus

Water testing still underway. Staff rendering.

Asheville – All testing to ensure the water is safe and free from contaminants is complete, and as of last week, November 13th, the campus community was notified of the change.

Recognizing the urgent need for safe, drinkable water, UNC Asheville began collaborating with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approximately four weeks ago to construct a temporary water treatment facility on campus. The University has also consulted with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure the water is safe for consumption.

“We are unbelievably grateful for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and numerous campus staff who have worked diligently to make this happen. And we are grateful to our Bulldogs for their patience and perseverance as we work toward providing them with a more typical on-campus experience,” said Chancellor Kimberly van Noort.

reatment facility. Photo courtesy of UNCA/Rafael Aguilera.

The City of Asheville supplies UNC Asheville with its water, which is currently unsafe to drink. The treatment facility takes in the water provided by the city, sends it through a series of filters, and then through a reverse osmosis (RO) system. It is subsequently re-treated with chlorine and an anti-corrosive agent before being distributed to the main part of campus as safe, drinkable water.

The water treatment facility can process 200 gallons per minute, equating to approximately 288,000 gallons per day. After accounting for the water used by the facility to operate, UNC Asheville will have approximately 244,000 gallons of potable water available each day.

This supply will serve the roughly 800 residential students who have returned to campus since the storm, including those in Brown Dining Hall.

While this is a significant step for UNC Asheville, this water capacity is only about half of what was available prior to the storm, making water conservation essential. Students are encouraged to take shorter showers, turn off the water while brushing their teeth or shaving, and launder fewer but larger loads of laundry.

Bottled water will continue to be available at the dining hall throughout the day and during meal times. Employees are encouraged to bring their own water for consumption if possible.

The University will continue to monitor usage, and in the event that water availability becomes limited due to excessive use, it will communicate a water conservation plan via the Bulldog Alert system.

Peripheral buildings such as the Health and Counseling Center at 118 W.T. Weaver Blvd. and the STEAM Studio on Riverside Drive will unfortunately not be able to receive the treated water and should continue to follow the City of Asheville’s boil water notice.