Grant funds free well water testing following Helene
Testing is available for free in all Western North Carolina counties.
Wine to Water photo
Since Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, residents have learned countless lessons and encountered unforeseen circumstances, even long after the initially recovery phase began.
When Helene inundated farmland, in some cases, chemicals and animal waste were introduced into the groundwater, in addition to countless other chemicals that washed into Western North Carolina’s waterways. When homes were nearby, this could contaminate residential wells and sicken residents, due to the introduction of heavy metals or lead or bacterial contaminants like E. coli, even if the water appears clear and clean.
Following the storm, Wine to Water, an international nonprofit focused on providing clean water access, launched a free water quality testing program for households across 23 Western North Carolina counties and has since received hundreds of requests for visits. The funding for the program came from a grant from the Duke Endowment.
WTW’s Western North Carolina team includes water quality specialists, community engagement specialists, and zone leads to support field operations. The current phase of the initiative focuses on three key areas: educating residents about water quality challenges, conducting no-cost household water quality testing to assess overall drinking water health and providing infrastructure repair for private wells and spring boxes.
“We believe everyone deserves to have confidence in the water they drink. By offering household tap testing across Western North Carolina, we’re helping families impacted by Hurricane Helene get the information they need to protect their health — and when contaminants are found, we’re committed to helping them find real and appropriate solutions,” said Jeremy Kilday, U.S. program director at WTW, in a press release.
In addition to testing water, the nonprofit also supplies clean water and supplies.
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With the help of around 1,400 dedicated volunteers, WTW has already made a significant impact in the region following the devastation of Hurricane Helene. The organization has distributed nearly 440,000 gallons of water, delivered 1.2 million pounds of emergency supplies, provided nearly 3,700 hollow fiber membrane filters, assembled and handed out 5,850 hygiene kits, built or placed over 15 tiny homes or temporary shelters and recycled more than 94,500 plastic bottles through sustainable response efforts.
There are two zones out of which WTW operates, with hubs in Boone and Asheville. Deanna Carr, program manager for the Asheville office, said most people don’t understand how big of an impact water quality can have until they are faced with the health ramifications of contamination. Carr said they are finding wells that are contaminated. In some cases, that contamination is likely from Helene, and in other cases, it’s from elsewhere and predates the flood.
“I would say that I didn’t realize how many health concerns or health benefits could be a direct result of getting clean water or not,” she said. “A lot of times, you think because the U.S. is a developed country we have clean sources in remote areas private wells. It’s been more of an awareness issue for people. Just because water looks clear, doesn’t mean it is clear and clean. Unclean water can be anywhere in the world.”
Emma Peterson collects a water sample to test. Although water may look clear and clean, there could still be e coli contamination. Wine to Water photo
To try to get the word out about the service, WTW hired a community engagement specialist in each zone. Those individuals have partnered with local and regional nonprofits and community organizations to get information out at community hubs and events. Considering how many, especially in Buncombe County, were without water for weeks and even months after the storm, many are happy to hear of the free service.
“I would say that people are very excited and anxious to get it tested as soon as possible,” Carr said.
Carr said that whenever a well turns up a positive result, the homeowner is typically shocked. But WTW works with a local specialists to perform whatever corrective actions are necessary, like chemically shocking the well and changing filters.
In her role, Emma Peterson goes out in the field and collects samples. Those samples are sent off to WNCIL, a private lab, and tested for a whole host of things including nitrites found in fertilizer runoff, lead, copper, iron, chlorine and turbidity. If there is any action required, Peterson connects residents with the right service providers.
“I’ve probably done a test in every single county that we serve,” Peterson said.
Both Carr and Peterson said they’d encourage any home owners to reach out and explore the option of receiving the free test. There’s nothing to lose, and Carr noted that they’ve already saved a lot of people from drinking contaminated water.
“It’s better to know what’s in your water than not know,” Carr said.
Peterson echoed that sentiment.
“The best situation is when the water comes back clear,” she said. “It’s one less thing someone has to worry about. But with ability to provide well sanitizations, either way we can bring some faith and confidence.”
To learn more about Wine to Water and its programs, visit wtw.org.
