Asheville

The Division of Water Resources (DWR) provides the data contained within this Local Water Supply Plan (LWSP) as a courtesy and service to our customers. DWR staff does not field verify data. Neither DWR, nor any other party involved in the preparation of this LWSP attests that the data is completely free of errors and omissions. Furthermore, data users are cautioned that LWSPs labeled PROVISIONAL have yet to be reviewed by DWR staff. Subsequent review may result in significant revision. Questions regarding the accuracy or limitations of usage of this data should be directed to the water system and/or DWR.

1. System Information

Contact Information

Complete

Water System Name: Asheville   PWSID: 01-11-010
Mailing Address:PO Box 7148
Asheville, NC 28802
Ownership:Municipality
 
Contact Person:Brenna CookTitle:Compliance Manager
Phone:828-777-2695Cell/Mobile:--
 
Secondary Contact:David Melton Phone:828-259-5957
Mailing Address:PO Box 7148
Asheville, NC 28802
Cell/Mobile:--
Distribution System
Line Type Size Range (Inches) Estimated % of lines
Asbestos Cement 4-8 0.50 %
Cast Iron 1-24 42.00 %
Ductile Iron 1-36 37.00 %
Galvanized Iron 3/4-6 15.00 %
Other 1 -36 2.00 %
Polyvinyl Chloride 1-12 3.50 %
What are the estimated total miles of distribution system lines?   1,710 Miles
How many feet of distribution lines were replaced during 2024?   13,721 Feet
How many feet of new water mains were added during 2024?   5,920 Feet
How many meters were replaced in 2024?   31,167
How old are the oldest meters in this system?   40 Year(s)
How many meters for outdoor water use, such as irrigation, are not billed for sewer services?   15,873
What is this system's finished water storage capacity?   27.3560 Million Gallons
Has water pressure been inadequate in any part of the system since last update? Line breaks that were repaired quickly should not be included.   No

Estimated total miles of distribution lines is based on current GIS data. There are 55 pressure zones in the water system, ranging from 20 to 643 psi with an average pressure of 180-200psi. Several feet of transmission line was replaced in the distribution system due to damage from Tropical Storm Helene. Water Resources is currently replacing all AMR meters to AMI. This project will take approximately two more years to complete.

Programs
Does this system have a program to work or flush hydrants?   Yes, Annually
Does this system have a valve exercise program?   Yes, 2 Years or More
Does this system have a cross-connection program?   Yes
Does this system have a program to replace meters?   Yes
Does this system have a plumbing retrofit program?   No
Does this system have an active water conservation public education program?   Yes
Does this system have a leak detection program?   Yes

There is a valve crew of 5 employees that exercise, maintain and schedule shutdowns through engineering as needed. GPS information is collected to ensure GIS data integrity is maintained while work is conducted. Leak survey consists of a two person team who conduct proactive system-wide leak detection daily. They utilize Gutterman correlators, Perma Net SU units, and DX and L mics as needed. The Cross-Connection Control team consists of two Backflow Inspectors and one Supervisor. Water Resources is currently replacing all AMR meters to AMI. This project will take approximately two more years to complete.

Water Conservation
What type of rate structure is used?   Decreasing Block, Uniform
How much reclaimed water does this system use?   0.0000 MGD   For how many connections?   0
Does this system have an interconnection with another system capable of providing water in an emergency?   Yes

Uniform rate structure is used for single-family residential, multi-family residential, and wholesale/bulk customers. Decreasing block structure is used for commercial and manufacturing customers.

2. Water Use Information

Service Area
Sub-Basin(s)% of Service Population
French Broad River (05-2)100 %
County(s)% of Service Population
Buncombe98 %
Henderson2 %
What was the year-round population served in 2024?   156,720
Has this system acquired another system since last report?   No

We do not have a seasonal population. Year round population increased due to state records in 2022 when we received our permit to operate a water system.

Water Use by Type
Type of Use Metered
Connections
Metered
Average Use (MGD)
Non-Metered
Connections
Non-Metered
Estimated Use (MGD)
Residential 57,266 8.0669 0 0.0000
Commercial 4,082 3.6258 0 0.0000
Industrial 11 0.6055 0 0.0000
Institutional 622 2.0060 0 0.0000

How much water was used for system processes (backwash, line cleaning, flushing, etc.)?   0.7990 MGD

Residential included Single-Family, Permanent Extension (Hardship), and irrigation. Industrial includes Manufacturing rate class. Institutional includes Churches, Hospitals, Medical, Schools, Fire Departments and Wholesale.

The Water Usage for System Processes is higher than last few years because we clarified we needed to add distribution system flushing to the total.

Water Sales
Purchaser PWSID Average
Daily Sold
(MGD)
Days
Used
Contract Required to
comply with water
use restrictions?
Pipe Size(s)
(Inches)
Use
Type
MGD Expiration Recurring
City of Hendersonville 01-45-010 0.0000 0 0.0000 2026 No Yes 14 Emergency
Town of Biltmore Forest 01-11-030 0.1439 365 0.3500 2025 Yes Yes 6, 8 Regular
Town of Black Mountain 01-11-020 0.6424 365 0.4400 2025 Yes Yes 8 Regular
Town of Weaverville 01-11-025 0.0000 0 0.0000 Yes No 8 Emergency
Woodfin Sanitary Water & Sewer District 01-11-015 0.4011 365 1.0000 2026 Yes Yes 8 Regular

We have annual contracts with the Town of Black Mountain & Town of Biltmore Forest. The contract amount for Black Mountain is 0.44 MGD. The contract amount for Biltmore Forest is 0.35MGD.

3. Water Supply Sources

Monthly Withdrawals & Purchases
Average Daily
Use (MGD)
Max Day
Use (MGD)
Average Daily
Use (MGD)
Max Day
Use (MGD)
Average Daily
Use (MGD)
Max Day
Use (MGD)
Jan 23.2000 26.4000 May 22.4800 24.2700 Sep 20.8200 24.8500
Feb 22.4200 23.6800 Jun 24.2800 26.1600 Oct 14.2200 27.9600
Mar 21.8400 22.8700 Jul 24.5800 26.3300 Nov 19.5900 23.7300
Apr 22.1800 23.8600 Aug 24.1700 25.7700 Dec 22.1500 25.2600

Tropical Storm Helene affected flow rates from 9/27/2024 - 11/18/2024 due to damage in distribution system. It was also affected due to the inability to treat water at the treatment plants due to increased turbidity levels in the North Fork and William DeBruhl reservoirs.

Surface Water Sources
Stream Reservoir Average Daily Withdrawal Maximum Day
Withdrawal (MGD)
Available Raw
Water Supply
Usable On-Stream
Raw Water Supply
Storage (MG)
MGD Days Used MGD * Qualifier
Bee Tree Creek Bee Tree 2.6400 270 3.7600 3.3000 T 512.0000
Mills and French Broad Rivers N/A 3.9400 365 7.0600 30.7000 F 0.0000
North Fork of Swannanoa Burnett 16.5300 350 23.6000 19.7000 T 5,600.0000

* Qualifier: C=Contract Amount, SY20=20-year Safe Yield, SY50=50-year Safe Yield, F=20% of 7Q10 or other instream flow requirement, CUA=Capacity Use Area Permit

Surface Water Sources (continued)
Stream Reservoir Drainage Area
(sq mi)
Metered? Sub-Basin County Year
Offline
Use
Type
Bee Tree Creek Bee Tree 8 Yes French Broad River (05-2) Buncombe Regular
Mills and French Broad Rivers N/A 429 Yes French Broad River (05-2) Henderson Regular
North Fork of Swannanoa Burnett 25 Yes French Broad River (05-2) Buncombe Regular
What is this system's off-stream raw water supply storage capacity?   15 Million gallons
Are surface water sources monitored?   Yes, Daily
Are you required to maintain minimum flows downstream of its intake or dam?   Yes
Does this system anticipate transferring surface water between river basins?   No

We are required to maintain a minimum flow from the Burnette Reservoir at the North Fork Water Treatment Facility. The flow is based on the design of the outflow (8 inch pipe 16 feet below full pool level). Flow releases downstream based on head pressure from the lake.

Water Purchases From Other Systems
Seller PWSID Average
Daily Purchased
(MGD)
Days
Used
Contract Required to
comply with water
use restrictions?
Pipe Size(s)
(Inches)
Use
Type
MGD Expiration Recurring
City of Hendersonville 01-45-010 0.0000 0 0.0000 Yes Yes 24 Emergency
Town of Black Mountain 01-11-020 0.0000 0 0.0000 Yes Yes 6 Emergency
Town of Weaverville 01-11-025 0.0000 0 0.0000 Yes Yes 8 Emergency
Woodfin Sanitary Water & Sewer District 01-11-015 0.0000 0 0.0000 Yes Yes 8 Emergency
Water Treatment Plants
Plant Name Permitted Capacity
(MGD)
Is Raw Water Metered? Is Finished Water Ouput Metered? Source
Mills River WTP 7.5000 Yes Yes Mills and French Broad Rivers
North Fork WTP 31.5000 Yes Yes Burnett Reservoir
William DeBruhl WTP 5.0000 Yes Yes Bee Tree Reservoir
Did average daily water production exceed 80% of approved plant capacity for five consecutive days during 2024?  No
     If yes, was any water conservation implemented?  
Did average daily water production exceed 90% of approved plant capacity for five consecutive days during 2024?  No
     If yes, was any water conservation implemented?  
Are peak day demands expected to exceed the water treatment plant capacity in the next 10 years?  Yes

It is a high probability that peak demands could exceed the water treatment plants capacity in the next 10 years due to the higher than anticipated population increase. Discussions and plans are occurring to expand Mills River during a phase 3 project and planning for another treatment plant or intake for the Mills River.

4. Wastewater Information

Monthly Discharges
Average Daily
Discharge (MGD)
Average Daily
Discharge (MGD)
Average Daily
Discharge (MGD)
Jan 26.1800 May 22.9300 Sep 28.4300
Feb 20.5900 Jun 18.9000 Oct 19.4700
Mar 23.6300 Jul 21.3900 Nov 19.3200
Apr 20.7200 Aug 19.9700 Dec 23.4400

How many sewer connections does this system have?   45,546
How many water service connections with septic systems does this system have?   15,053
Are there plans to build or expand wastewater treatment facilities in the next 10 years?   No

The Average Daily Discharge information includes both the Buncombe County Metropolitan Sewerage District (MSD), permit # NC0024911 and the three City of Asheville Water Treatment Facilities discharge permits. MSD does not plan to expand their treatment facility, but City of Asheville has plans to build a treatment system for their sludge removal processes for all three Water Treatment Facilities, hopefully in the next 10 years.

The number of sewer connections reported is just for the City of Asheville and not all MSD connections since they serve other water utilities in Buncombe County.

The number for service connections with a septic system was determined by searching for accounts that did not have sewer or irrigation connections.

Wastewater Permits
Permit Number Type Permitted Capacity
(MGD)
Design Capacity
(MGD)
Average Annual
Daily Discharge
(MGD)
Maximum Day Discharge
(MGD)
Receiving Stream Receiving Basin
NC0035807 WTP 4.7600 4.7600 0.5190 4.9800 North Fork of Swannanoa French Broad River (05-2)
NC0056961 WTP 0.8000 0.8000 0.0440 0.1300 Bee Tree Creek French Broad River (05-2)
NCG590034 WTP 0.0640 0.0640 0.0430 0.1700 French Broad River French Broad River (05-2)
Wastewater Interconnections
Water System PWSID Type Average Daily Amount Contract
Maximum (MGD)
MGD Days Used
Metropolitan Sewerage District 00-00-000 Discharging 21.4750 365

5. Planning

Projections
  2024 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070
Year-Round Population 156,720 172,392 189,631 208,594 229,453 252,398
Seasonal Population 0 0 0 0 0 0
 
Residential 8.0669 9.4380 10.3818 11.4200 12.5620 13.8182
Commercial 3.6258 4.6310 5.0941 5.6035 6.1639 6.7803
Industrial 0.6055 0.7260 0.7986 0.8785 0.9663 1.0629
Institutional 2.0060 2.2660 2.4926 2.7419 3.0160 3.3176
System Process 0.7990 0.8789 0.9668 1.0635 1.1698 1.2868
Unaccounted-for 5.3968 7.2709 7.9980 8.7978 9.6776 9.3656
Demand v/s Percent of Supply
  2024 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070
Surface Water Supply 53.7000 53.7000 53.7000 53.7000 53.7000 53.7000
Ground Water Supply 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
Purchases 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
Future Supplies 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
Total Available Supply (MGD) 53.7000 53.7000 53.7000 53.7000 53.7000 53.7000
Service Area Demand 20.5000 25.2108 27.7319 30.5052 33.5556 35.6314
Sales 1.1842 1.9924 1.9924 1.9924 1.9924 1.9924
Future Sales 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
Total Demand (MGD) 21.6842 27.2032 29.7243 32.4976 35.5480 37.6238
Demand as Percent of Supply 40% 51% 55% 61% 66% 70%

The purpose of the above chart is to show a general indication of how the long-term per capita water demand changes over time. The per capita water demand may actually be different than indicated due to seasonal populations and the accuracy of data submitted. Water systems that have calculated long-term per capita water demand based on a methodology that produces different results may submit their information in the notes field.

Your long-term water demand is 51 gallons per capita per day. What demand management practices do you plan to implement to reduce the per capita water demand (i.e. conduct regular water audits, implement a plumbing retrofit program, employ practices such as rainwater harvesting or reclaimed water)? If these practices are covered elsewhere in your plan, indicate where the practices are discussed here.    No changes.

Are there other demand management practices you will implement to reduce your future supply needs?   Asheville has implemented the following practices that could reduce per capita demand. 1) Meter replacement program; 2) A water conservation public education program; 3) lead detection program; and 4) an aggressive non-revenue water program to reduce water loss.

What supplies other than the ones listed in future supplies are being considered to meet your future supply needs?   None are being considered at this time.

How does the water system intend to implement the demand management and supply planning components above?    1) Meter Replacement Program: The department has bid out the next round of meters in 2023-2024 will continue to replace our Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system with Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). 2) Water Conservation Public Education: Water Production Staff, Water Resources ISO Program Coordinator, and River Keepers to resume tours of the treatment facilities to various education groups in 2023. The department also partners with Land-of-Sky Regional Council Waste Reduction Partners annually for $15,000 to conduct commercial water audits and to provide assistance to area schools & businesses interested in pursuing student water education programs. 3) Leak Detection Program: the leak detection program consists of two (2) Utility System Mappers, who do so on as-needed basis. The DigiCorr leak detection system by Flow Metrix, Inc. is the type of leak detection equipment used. The DigiCorr Pro mapping and database software is used in conjunction with the DigiCorr equipment; and 4) Non-Revenue Water Program: The department continues to contract with Cavanaugh & Associates to track non-revenue water. Water loss has been reduced approximately 19%.

Additional Information

Has this system participated in regional water supply or water use planning?  Yes, The department is currently under contract with Hazen and Sawyer to update the Water System Master Plan to project area growth and system expansion needed to accommodate the projected growth. The department continues to contract with industry experts Cavanaugh & Associates to assist in a systematic program to reduce non-revenue water.

What major water supply reports or studies were used for planning?  2009 Water System Master Plan Update, 2011 Water and Sewer Rate Study; AWWA Water Audit and Drought Model.

Please describe any other needs or issues regarding your water supply sources, any water system deficiencies or needed improvements (storage, treatment, etc.) or your ability to meet present and future water needs. Include both quantity and quality considerations, as well as financial, technical, managerial, permitting, and compliance issues:   The 25 year old Mills River Water Treatment Facility's Phase 1 updates/improvements have been completed. Phase 2 construction is set to begin March 2025. The project includes another off-stream raw water storage reservoir, an additional 1 MG clearwell, an additional waste lagoon, additional intake pump & replacing the older pumps , new finished water pumps, new drives for all these pumps, addition of I-Beam trains in transfer pumps and intake to aid in future maintenance of motors, new chemical tanks for all bulk chemicals, new chemical injection pumps, new rapid mixers and flocculator and associated drives, new filter consoles, and update to SCADA integration and controls. The cost of this project is approximately $24M and will take almost 2 years to complete. We are researching opportunities for grants/low interest loans for the Mills River WTP Phase 3 project along with the design for the retrofit of the North Fork and William DeBruhl WTPs to move from direct filtration to conventional treatment. NC Public Water Supply informed utilities in 2021 that Direct Filtration Plants would be required to move to Conventional Treatment.

The Division of Water Resources (DWR) provides the data contained within this Local Water Supply Plan (LWSP) as a courtesy and service to our customers. DWR staff does not field verify data. Neither DWR, nor any other party involved in the preparation of this LWSP attests that the data is completely free of errors and omissions. Furthermore, data users are cautioned that LWSPs labeled PROVISIONAL have yet to be reviewed by DWR staff. Subsequent review may result in significant revision. Questions regarding the accuracy or limitations of usage of this data should be directed to the water system and/or DWR.