NC Community Could Be Without Wastewater Services For Years Following Hurricane Helene

Weeks after Tropical Storm Helene devastated the area on September 27, 2024, officials in North Carolina’s Mitchell County continue to grapple with a significant water crisis with no end in sight. While electricity has been restored to nearly all residents and some water services have resumed, Spruce Pine, the county's largest town, still faces critical challenges. Its wastewater treatment facility, crucial for handling sewage for thousands of residents and local schools, remains entirely inoperable due to flood damage – and is likely to remain that way for years.

Helene caused widespread destruction, washing away homes and businesses and claiming dozens of lives. Spruce Pine’s 15,000 residents are urged not to flush toilets, which will send untreated wastewater into local rivers and streams. Officials are concerned about significant health and environmental impact, which would include the spread of bacteria and diseases.