Xylem's Quick Response Restores Critical Water Supply To North Carolina Community During COVID-19 Outbreak

Temporary replacement addresses catastrophic water system failure

There is never a good time for a municipality to encounter problems with its water supply. But during the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak – when handwashing and sanitation are essential to maintaining public health – a reduction in water supply to residents quickly becomes critical.

Unfortunately, a city nestled in the foothills of North Carolina, found itself facing that exact crisis. After undergoing maintenance, a vertical turbine pump at the city’s water treatment plant failed on Friday, March 27, reducing the plant’s ability to pump water out into the city’s water system.

 Although the city had several backup plans to address such emergencies, it was a perfect storm as several issues occurred at one time. Among those was a shelter in place order issued by the state of North Carolina to help prevent the spread and exposure to COVID-19, which contributed to an increase in water use.