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Public works director details extensive water‑system damage, repairs and staffing strain after Helene
Summary
Public Works Director Jamie Matthews and water operator Charlie Gross summarized months of emergency repairs after Tropical Storm Helene, credited Davis Water for emergency supply, reported a DEQ loan and FEMA reimbursement process, and defended staff against social-media criticism.
The town’s public works leadership described widespread water‑system damage from Tropical Storm Helene, the emergency response and the current status of repairs — and pushed back against public criticism of staff performance.
Jamie Matthews, the town’s public works director, said the storm caused flash flooding, extensive erosion and washouts that left large sections of distribution piping exposed or destroyed, pump stations and tanks offline, and the SCADA control system inoperative. Matthews said staff shut pumps to protect expensive, custom motors and that the town relied on contractual deliveries from Davis Water to refill tanks until the distribution system could be repaired.
“Davis Water has really, really serviced us well in the past,” Matthews said, noting that the company prioritized Black Mountain while its resources allowed. He added that town crews performed rapid, in‑house line replacement in several locations and replaced ductile iron, cast iron, PVC and galvanized segments and service lines.
Matthews said the town prepared documentation for FEMA reimbursements and had a $457,000 loan from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. He said the town expects FEMA to reimburse eligible expenses for staff time, materials and contractor work; the final small-project total was still under review by staff at the time of the meeting.
Charlie Gross, the town’s water operator, described two wells that remained offline because of contamination concerns: one showed pesticide/herbicide levels and sand infiltration and required lining and filtration, the other was heavily affected and not worth immediate repair. Gross said the system is largely functioning but that some wells and production components remained out of service while treatment and safety checks proceeded.
Matthews also addressed personnel and public‑comment issues. He criticized repeated social‑media accusations aimed at town staff and said misinformation was hampering morale and employee retention. He described multiagency partnerships during the emergency and credited mutual‑aid crews from other jurisdictions.
Council members asked technical questions about restoration sequencing. Matthews and Gross said the town prioritized repairing distribution to maintain service, then restoring production wells and coordinating lab testing with Asheville to ensure blended supply safety. Gross estimated the system was at about 96 percent functioning at the time of the presentation, with remaining repairs planned and funded through a combination of DEQ loans and FEMA reimbursement.
Ending: Matthews asked for patience and community support while the town finishes repairs and completes FEMA documentation; he told the council the department would continue to prioritize resilience improvements and asset mapping to speed future emergency responses.
