Safe Drinking Water Returns to North Carolina City 7 Weeks After Hurricane Helene

Overview

Hurricane Helene left a trail of destruction in its wake, including contaminated drinking water in the city of Wilmington, North Carolina. The city has been under a boil water advisory for the past seven weeks, but that advisory is expected to be lifted next week.

The Hurricane's Impact

Hurricane Helene made landfall in North Carolina on September 18, 2023, bringing heavy rain and flooding to the state. The storm caused widespread damage to infrastructure, including the city of Wilmington's water treatment plant.

The damage to the water treatment plant led to a loss of water pressure in the city, which in turn caused the water to become contaminated. The city issued a boil water advisory on September 20, 2023.

The Boil Water Advisory

The boil water advisory meant that residents of Wilmington had to boil their water before drinking it. This was to kill any bacteria that may have contaminated the water.

The boil water advisory has been a major inconvenience for residents of Wilmington. They have had to boil water for drinking, cooking, and brushing their teeth. They have also had to be careful not to swallow any water while showering or bathing.

The Return of Safe Drinking Water

The city of Wilmington has been working around the clock to repair the damage to the water treatment plant. The repairs are now nearing completion, and the city expects to lift the boil water advisory next week.

The lifting of the boil water advisory will be a major relief for residents of Wilmington. They will finally be able to drink their water without boiling it first.