Tennessee Lifts Water Advisory After Hurricane Helene

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has lifted a water contact advisory that was issued on October 2 following the flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. This advisory impacted the Nolichucky, French Broad, Pigeon, Doe, and Watauga River watersheds and was initially precautionary, not based on specific water quality data. Recent testing of 17 locations revealed that water quality has returned to pre-Helene conditions, with no unusual hazardous pollutants detected. TDEC Commissioner David Salyers reassured citizens of the water's safety, stating that fish consumption is safe and recreational activities this spring should not be affected. The department monitored water quality closely, sampling for bacteria and heavy metals to ensure safety following the storm. The Tennessee Valley Authority is also engaged in cleanup efforts related to the flooding debris in Douglas Lake.