rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/petition/we-need-water-clarity-asheville-city-leaders?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-petition-area-we-need-water-clarity-asheville-city-leaders' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> CLEAN-WATER https://actionnetwork.org/groups/clean-water https://actionnetwork.org//images/generic_facebook.jpg We know that the Water Resources Department has been working tirelessly to restore water access to our city. We’re committed to understanding the quality and safety of the municipal water since the well-being of our community depends on it. Clear Communication Asheville residents need to know what is safe or unsafe to do with the water that’s flowing from their faucets. Especially for families with small children, elderly folks, and other high-risk individuals, the lack of disclosure about the degree of contamination in the city’s water supply is leading to concern and confusion. It is essential for community members to have clear information so they can make informed decisions about their use of city water. Questions About Water Quality The system-wide Boil Water Notice is aimed at removing pathogens but is insufficient to address concerns from heavy metals and chemical exposure. With an experimental treatment method being used to coagulate sediment from the North Fork reservoir, and with the potential for hazardous chemicals from home and industrial spills as a result of the storm, it is crucial that we ensure contaminants have not entered our water system, and mitigate harm from exposure if they have. Access to clean, safe water is a human right and vital for the health and safety of our community. Exceptional Expertise for an Exceptional Time Community members who have been delivering water throughout this crisis have been in touch with Dr. Andrew Whelton, engineering professor and Director of the Healthy Plumbing Consortium at Purdue University, who has 20 years of experience assisting utility and government officials after disasters. His multidisciplinary team of experts was called into the 2023 Maui Wildfires, 2021 Marshall Fire in Colorado, 2018 Camp Fire in California, and the 2014 Freedom Industries Chemical Spill in West Virginia, where they focused on contaminant fate, chemical and microbiological exposures, health risks, infrastructure recovery, navigating federal policy, and community engagement. This team could assist the community with responding to, and recovering from, the damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Transparency in Water Testing We, the undersigned, request that the City of Asheville and EPA share existing test results for water quality in the City of Asheville’s water system as well as the floodwaters. We urge the city to bring in a team of experts with experience in responding to natural disasters and their impacts on municipal water systems. As we recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene, we hope to work with the City of Asheville towards the shared goal of clean water for the city we love. https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/we-need-water-clarity-asheville-city-leaders