Burke residents can have water tested for free

Wine To Water (WTW), an international nonprofit focused on clean water access, has launched a free water quality testing program for households across Western North Carolina.

The program, which has already received requests from over 400 households, is designed to build confidence in and ensure access to safe drinking water across 23 WNC counties, including Burke.

Any Burke household can request free water quality testing for any water source or well/spring box repair at www.wtw.org/wnc-wqt.

With the help of around 1,400 dedicated volunteers, WTW has already made a significant impact in the region following the devastation of Hurricane Helene. The organization has distributed nearly 440,000 gallons of water, delivered 1.2 million pounds of emergency supplies, provided nearly 3,700 hollow fiber membrane filters, assembled and handed out 5,850 hygiene kits, built or placed over fifteen tiny homes or temporary shelters, and recycled more than 94,500 plastic bottles through sustainable response efforts.

WTW’s Western North Carolina team includes water quality specialists, community engagement specialists, and zone leads to support field operations. The current phase of the initiative focuses on three key areas: educating residents about water quality challenges, conducting no-cost household water quality testing to assess overall drinking water health, and providing infrastructure repair for private wells and spring boxes.

A pilot for infrastructure repairs will launch soon, complementing the organization’s transition from emergency response to longterm water solutions.

“We believe everyone deserves to have confidence in the water they drink. By offering household tap testing across Western North Carolina, we’re helping families impacted by Hurricane Helene get the information they need to protect their health — and when contaminants are found, we’re committed to helping them find real and appropriate solutions,” said Jeremy Kilday, U.S. program director at WTW.

This initiative marks a continuation of WTW’s commitment to sustainable, community-driven water access, and represents a critical investment in the health, safety, and resilience of Appalachian communities.

To learn more about Wine To Water and its programs, visit www.wtw.org.