During a recent government meeting, concerns regarding student hygiene and water access in schools were prominently discussed. Parents have expressed worries about the potential for increased illness among students as schools prepare to reopen, particularly in light of flu season and issues like lice. The meeting highlighted the importance of addressing these health concerns as part of the reopening strategy, which is tentatively set for October 28.

In response to these concerns, FEMA is establishing \"comfort stations\" in the community, providing facilities for residents to shower and wash clothes. The local education authorities are committed to sharing information about these resources as they become available.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the installation of 5,000-gallon water tanks at schools, which will be used for essential hygiene practices such as handwashing and cooking. While the goal is to fill these tanks with potable water, there are challenges in sourcing enough clean water. As a contingency, non-potable water will be utilized for flushing toilets. The installation process is expected to begin shortly, with plans to set up four tanks per day across the district.

The urgency of restoring water services was underscored, with updates indicating that water will be restored in phases, starting from Black Mountain and moving across the county. The last areas to receive water will be the Inca Candler region. Local officials expressed optimism about the timeline for restoring water services, emphasizing the collaborative efforts underway to expedite the process.

Overall, the meeting underscored the community's commitment to ensuring student health and safety as schools navigate the challenges of reopening amidst ongoing recovery efforts.