Asheville markets itself on mountains, craft beer, and clean living. And the water — sourced from protected mountain watersheds — is genuinely excellent by most measures. But even in the Blue Ridge, water quality isn’t a given. A major Superfund site, contamination in the French Broad River, and new threats to the mountain watersheds that supply the city all deserve attention.
The CTS Superfund Site
The most significant water contamination issue in the Asheville area is the CTS of Asheville Superfund site — a former electronics manufacturing facility in the Mills River area south of the city.
CTS Corporation manufactured electronic components at the site from the 1950s through the 1980s. Operations used trichloroethylene (TCE) and other chlorinated solvents for degreasing and cleaning. Improper handling and disposal of these chemicals contaminated soil and groundwater beneath the facility.
The contamination picture:
- TCE plume — a groundwater plume containing TCE, a probable human carcinogen, extends from the former facility site through the surrounding area
- Vapor intrusion — TCE in shallow groundwater can volatilize and enter buildings through foundation cracks, creating indoor air quality concerns for nearby residents
- Private wells affected — the plume has impacted private wells in the area, and the EPA has provided alternative water supplies to affected residents
- Listed on NPL in 2012 — the site was added to the National Priorities List after investigation confirmed the extent of contamination
The EPA has been conducting remedial investigation and feasibility studies to determine the best cleanup approach. Interim actions have included providing bottled water and connecting affected residents to municipal water, as well as installing vapor mitigation systems in homes at risk for TCE vapor intrusion.
Henderson County, where the site is located, is just south of Asheville in Buncombe County. The contamination underscores that even in areas known for pristine water, industrial operations can create lasting groundwater problems.
The French Broad River
The French Broad River is one of the oldest rivers in the world and flows north through Asheville on its way to Tennessee. While it’s become a recreational asset for the city — kayaking, tubing, riverside breweries — the river carries contamination from its entire watershed.
Water quality concerns in the French Broad include:
- Industrial discharges — wastewater treatment plants and industrial facilities discharge treated effluent into the river and its tributaries
- Agricultural runoff — farming in the upper watershed, particularly in Henderson and Transylvania counties, contributes nutrients and sediment
- Legacy contamination — the river’s sediments carry the fingerprints of historical industrial operations, including the paper manufacturing that once dominated the region
- Combined sewer overflows — Asheville’s sewer system experiences overflows during heavy rainfall events, releasing untreated wastewater into the river
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) monitors the French Broad and has classified portions as impaired for various uses. While the river’s water quality has improved significantly since the worst years of industrial pollution, it still doesn’t meet standards for all designated uses.
Mountain Watersheds Under Pressure
Asheville’s municipal water supply comes primarily from the North Fork Reservoir system — protected mountain watersheds in the Swannanoa River valley. These watersheds produce some of the highest-quality raw water in the state, thanks to:
- Forest protection — the watersheds are managed to minimize development and logging
- Elevation — high-altitude catchments receive relatively clean precipitation
- Limited human activity — access to the watershed areas is restricted
But these pristine sources face emerging threats:
Wildfire — the 2016 Party Rock Fire near Chimney Rock demonstrated that western North Carolina is not immune to wildfire. Post-fire watersheds experience dramatically increased erosion, sediment loading, and nutrient runoff. A major fire in Asheville’s source watershed could temporarily compromise raw water quality.
Climate change — shifting precipitation patterns, more intense storms, and longer droughts all affect watershed health and water supply reliability.
Development pressure — as Asheville grows, development in and around watershed buffer areas puts pressure on the protective land management that keeps source water clean.
Emerging Contaminants
Like communities nationwide, Asheville is grappling with contaminants that previous generations didn’t test for:
GenX and PFAS — North Carolina has been at the center of the national PFAS conversation since the Chemours GenX contamination of the Cape Fear River was exposed. While Asheville is not directly affected by the Chemours discharge, PFAS from other sources — including airports, firefighting activities, and industrial operations — are a statewide concern. North Carolina has established a health goal of 70 parts per trillion for GenX (HFPO-DA).
Pharmaceuticals and personal care products — detected in surface water sources throughout the state, these compounds enter waterways through wastewater effluent and are not fully removed by conventional treatment.
Microplastics — present in virtually all surface water, including mountain streams, though the health implications are still being studied.
What Residents Can Do
- Read Asheville’s water quality report — the city publishes detailed annual results that consistently show excellent water quality from the mountain watershed sources
- Know if you’re on a private well — Buncombe and Henderson County residents on wells should test annually, especially those near the CTS Superfund site
- Check EPA updates on CTS — if you’re in the Mills River area, stay informed about the Superfund investigation and cleanup progress
- Protect your watershed — support land conservation and responsible development in the Swannanoa and French Broad watersheds
- Consider filtration — even with excellent source water, a point-of-use filter can provide additional protection
If you’re concerned about your water quality, a certified water treatment professional can test your water and advise on the right treatment approach for your specific situation in the Asheville area.