Review of Asheville, North Carolina


Looks good? Look again.
Star Rating - 9/7/2018
Incredible positive reviews and beautiful natural beauty had me strongly considering a move to Asheville NC. I was stunned to recently discover unbiased research and media reports concerning how horribly contaminated the water and air quality is. There’s a Duke Energy coal plant right in the city, and plans to build another two. There are another 30 throughout the state and they have all dumped their toxic coal ash waste in unlined pits for decades. It has leached into the ground water and wells. Since most of the plants are next to rivers and lakes, contamination travels far and wide. And the plants’ smoke stacks release toxins into the air. And guess what? The governor used to work for Duke Energy. So sad how such a beautiful state has been abused for profits.
Cee | McKinney, TX
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5 Replies


The air quality in the western NC area is measured routinely and found to be very polluted from the industries of Tennessee blowing pollution into WNC. There are numerous red flag bad breathing days and you can't see past a few miles-- never mind those expensive long range mountain views you paid top dollar for. Locals are allowed to have open flames and burn their garbage, acres of deforested dead trees, underbrush. Allowing fires in mountains when there is NO means, aside from helicopter dumps, to stop a fast raging fire is ignorant. The smoke during Burn Days is unbearable for people who don't have lung issues. Chimney Rock/Lake Lure had wild fires going for weeks with smoke at ground level many miles from fire source. Speaking of Lake Lure, it's also terribly polluted and has been completely emptied several times due to very high bacteria counts. Homes are built on top of eachother and that means sewage will go into the lake. The water quality is disgusting. The same goes for all other natural or man made waters. Rivers contain a cocktail of chemicals and you would never swim in those small or large rivers/creeks. Fishing? Ever see two headed fish? You do in these water bodies. The soul contains decades of very serious chemicals and the counties and state do nothing about this issue. Noone will tell you what was sitting/growing on the land you bought. Chances are you bought property with serious chemicals and that's where you also get your well water. Well water is found very high up, not deep down, so your drinking water with decades old chemicals in it. Had my well water tested 3 different times by 3 different companies and the results were outrageous. No whole house filters will protect your water. Western NC, most especially Asheville and its surrounding areas, are terribly polluted. But the real estate, economic development, government will not allow you to know any of this until you find out yourself, or, find out from neighbors.
Dan | Asheville, NC | Report Abuse

It's not a smoke stack...it's steam.
Brian | Arden, NC | Report Abuse

Where did you get the information that Duke is opening 2 more coal plants here? All I can find are articles dated Sept. 2018 that tell of Duke phasing out ALL coal plants in NC.
Garrett | Asheville, NC | Report Abuse

Do Not drink any water in this area as it is badly contaminated with both sewage and chemicals. Air quality is very poor and visibility is usually very low. Came to see the mountains? You can't because the smog blocks the view. The soil is also badly damaged by fertilizers and chemicals. Many areas must bring in bottled water due to water contamination. Very badly polluted area. Lakes are man made and "emerald green" (marketing) due to high bacteria count. Clean air? Nope. The air quality is so poor those with any lung issues should avoid.
Tamsin | Hendersonville, NC | Report Abuse

This info is outdated. The governor who worked for Duke is long gone.
Gary | Asheville, NC | Report Abuse
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