Asheville City Government shared an update on repair efforts after Helene wreaked havoc on the city's water system over a week ago.

In a social media post on Sunday, Oct. 6, city officials described challenges crews faced as they tried to rebuild a 36-inch bypass line at North Fork that Helene destroyed.

"Complications from debris clogging what remains of the bypass line and then rainfall in the watershed after Helene arose on Friday and Saturday," the statement said, in part. "While progress slowed, work continued. On Sunday morning, contractors were able to install new sections of the bypass line."

The city said complications like the North Fork line, which serves 80 percent of Asheville's water customers, make offering an accurate timeline for service restoration an "impossibility."

Water service will return to some areas before others, the city said, based solely on the level of damage to the system.

Customers are advised that if their water is restored, a water boil advisory is in effect. Under a water boil advisory, customers should boil tap water vigorously for at least one minute before using it for drinking, cooking, or any consumption. This includes water used for dental care, making ice, food preparation, or any other consumption purposes. It is not necessary to boil water for showering, laundry, or other non-consumptive uses.