Asheville approves $55.7 million in contracts for temporary water treatment systems

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — On Tuesday, July 29, during the City of Asheville council meeting, the board unanimously approved two significant contracts for temporary pretreatment systems, totaling $55.7 million.

The city signed off on a $36.9 million contract with CDM Smith Inc. to operate a temporary pretreatment system at the North Fork Water Treatment Plant, which is Asheville’s largest plant, responsible for 70% of the city’s water.

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The city is moving forward to enter a $18.8 million services contract with Bering-Weston JV, LLC. This contract is for the management and operation of a temporary pretreatment system at the William DeBruhl Water Treatment Plant.

When Helene struck, the city’s main water source, the North Fork Reservoir, became clogged with mud, shutting down filtration.

“When it was built back in 2004, they created redundancies by creating two pipelines, but they were both knocked out by Hurricane Helene,” said Mayor Esther Manheimer. “In rebuilding the systems this time, it’s my understanding that the plan is to encase it in concrete.”

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The technology, which will help clean sediment-laden water before final filtration, is already used in an estimated 95% to 99% of U.S. water systems.

Additionally, the city manager can now move forward and sign a $176,770 emergency contract with Schnabel Engineering South to restore critical infrastructure at the North Fork Dam following the storm.