In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene, people’s greatest need was clean water. The storm severely damaged water treatment facilities in Asheville and elsewhere. Even as power, cell service, and internet have been restored, makeshift bridges erected, and ruined roadways repaired, the lack of municipal water is keenly felt—especially for businesses.
“What I’m seeing, getting water on a personal level is not difficult right now,” says James Donaldson, an Asheville resident and creative director of Chemist Spirits, located in the South Slope neighborhood. “What is hard is commercial, certified, high-volume consistent water for businesses to reopen. That’s the need that we’re trying to help with.”
