ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Water is deemed safe and drinkable at UNC Asheville from a temporary water treatment facility on campus.
A UNC Asheville press release said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed a temporary water treatment facility on campus approximately four weeks ago. The university also consulted with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure the water is safe to drink.
“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.
The City of Asheville provides UNC Asheville with water, which is currently unsafe to drink. A press release from UNC Asheville said the university’s treatment facility takes in the city water, then it goes through a series of filters and a reverse osmosis system. The water is then re-treated with chlorine and an anti-corrosive. From there, the water is distributed to the main part of campus as safe, drinkable water.
A UNC Asheville press release said peripheral buildings such as the Health and Counseling Center at 118 W.T. Weaver Blvd. and the STEAM Studio on Riverside Drive are not able to receive the treated water and should continue to follow the city of Asheville’s boil water notice.
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University officials said the water treatment facility can treat 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 to use each day, according to a press release from the university.
This supply will serve roughly 800 residential students who have returned to campus since the storm, including Brown Dining Hall, according to the university.
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The university said this water capacity is only about half of what was available before the storm, and water conservation is necessary. Students are encouraged to take shorter showers, turn the sink off while brushing their teeth or shaving, and launder fewer and larger loads of laundry.
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A UNC Asheville press release said bottled water will be available at the dining hall throughout the day and during mealtimes. Employees are encouraged to bring their own water for consumption.
A UNC Asheville press release said the university will continue to monitor usage. If water availability becomes limited due to excessive use, the university will communicate a water conservation plan via the Bulldog Alert system.