Water treatment system returns safe drinking water to UNC Asheville campus

UNC Asheville is thrilled to announce the return of safe, drinkable water to the main campus.

All testing to ensure the water is safe and free from contaminants is complete, and today the campus community was notified of the change.

As reestablishing safe, drinkable water was quickly identified as a critical need, UNC Asheville began working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers roughly 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 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 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 then re-treated with chlorine and an anti-corrosive, when it can then be distributed to the main part of campus as safe, drinkable water.

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.

This supply will serve the roughly 800 residential students who have returned to campus since the storm. Among the buildings receiving water is Brown Dining Hall.

While this is a monumental step for UNC Asheville, this water capacity is only about half of what was available prior to the storm, and water conservation will be necessary. Students are encouraged to take shorter showers, turn water off while brushing their teeth or shaving, and launder fewer and 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 able.

The University will continue to monitor usage, and, in the event that water availability becomes limited due to excessive use, 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 willunfortunately not be able to receive the treated water and should continue to follow the City of Asheville's boil water notice.