**Asheville Restores Drinkable Tap Water 53 Days After Hurricane's Devastation**

After 53 days of grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Asheville residents finally received the welcoming news that their tap water is safe to drink again. The city, which has been struggling with grief and financial hardship since the storm struck in late September, saw a glimmer of hope on Monday when officials lifted the boil water advisory.

Jeff Watts, a 57-year-old landscaper, had largely ignored the small progress reports on Asheville's water distribution system. His life had become almost unrecognizably difficult and dirty since the storm. For the first time in weeks, he listened intently to a city voicemail that confirmed the tap water was now clean and drinkable. Despite this milestone, Watts's life remains in disarray as he continues to live in a tiny hotel room with his home destroyed and most of his belongings lost.

The announcement marked a significant leap forward for Asheville, a community of about 95,000 in western North Carolina. The city had been without potable water for nearly two months, pushing residents to find creative solutions just to meet basic needs. People walked through downtown carrying heavy water jugs, hiked to creeks for water to flush toilets, and waited eagerly for water trucks to arrive.

The storm had inflicted catastrophic damage, including flooding from torrential rains and mudslides that decimated homes and infrastructure. More than 100 lives were lost in the region, and about 12,000 Buncombe County residents filed for disaster-related unemployment benefits. Schools had only recently reopened, and there were calls for a rent eviction moratorium to support financially struggling residents.

While tap water was restored in late October, it remained undrinkable due to high sediment levels. Distribution points for bottled water and public bathing spots became routine for many. When the alert about drinkable tap water finally came, there was jubilant relief across the city. However, some residents like Ben Hanna, who had been distributing water through grass-roots initiatives, noted that apprehension about water quality persists.

City officials conducted extensive testing, analyzing 120 water samples over the weekend and confirming the absence of harmful bacteria like E. coli and coliform. Despite these assurances, many residents remain cautious, particularly those residing in homes with older plumbing.

Breweries, bars, and coffee shops—many of which stayed closed because of the water issues—are among the most relieved. Drew Hendrickson, a beverage director at a local cocktail bar, expressed excitement about resuming normal operations, including serving cocktails with clear ice cubes made from tap water.

As Asheville moves forward with recovery efforts, the return of drinkable tap water is a crucial step. Residents like Watts and Hanna can now at least wash dishes and bathe without fear, even if full normalcy remains a distant goal. The small joy of a safe bath for Hanna’s 2-year-old twins, who splashed in the warm water with smiles on their faces, encapsulates the renewed hope the city feels despite the long road ahead.