Raleigh Water crews are actively involved in the recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene, which severely impacted western North Carolina. The teams are focused on restoring crucial services in the region. Blake Foster, a member of Raleigh Water’s operations team, has been prominently involved in these efforts.
A significant moment was captured on video when Foster drank water from a sink, marking the first instance of potable water being available from the Burnsville water treatment plant since it went offline due to the storm. This milestone represents a major advancement in re-establishing essential water services for affected communities.
“Asheville is a learning experience, lots of mixed emotions being here,” Foster commented. “A lot of destruction, but a lot of hope and very intelligent people in water doing amazing things.”
Foster’s responsibilities include collaborating with Asheville Water to aid their recovery process. He addresses inquiries from local emergency responders like the fire department, National Guard, and police department while providing public updates. Additionally, he conducts daily briefings for Asheville and Buncombe County to communicate information from the water department and respond to public questions.
Raleigh Water is part of NC WaterWARN, a network that unites water and wastewater utilities across the state. Their commitment is evident as they deploy crews to support communities affected by Hurricane Helene. These teams are working persistently to restore vital water services and offer hope to those impacted.
