Mills River project aims to double water production capacity over six years

Buncombe County officials provided a crucial update on water quality and infrastructure during the community briefing on June 4, 2025, highlighting both progress and ongoing challenges.

The meeting kicked off with a positive note regarding turbidity levels in local reservoirs. North Fork's turbidity remains stable at around 0.5, while the Beechry treatment plant reports a slightly higher level of 2.8. These figures indicate a return to near-normal conditions, but officials warned that the area remains vulnerable to severe weather events that could disrupt water quality.

Clay, a representative from the water management team, emphasized the importance of the Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) units currently in operation. These units are effectively splitting the water demand, with North Fork handling half of the daily requirement of 20 million gallons. Meanwhile, the DAF units at Beechry are managing the entire average daily demand of 3 million gallons.

Significant improvements are underway at the Mills River facility, where ground was recently broken on a major expansion project. This initiative aims to double the production capacity from 7.5 million gallons to 15 million gallons per day over the next five to six years. Enhancements include a new clear well and an off-stream storage reservoir, which will significantly bolster the county's water supply, especially during emergencies when other sources may be offline.

The anticipated upgrades at Mills River are expected to provide a reliable water supply to areas that previously faced shortages, particularly during high-demand periods. As the county continues to navigate water management challenges, these developments signal a proactive approach to ensuring the community's water needs are met now and in the future.