It takes water to flush a toilet and tens of thousands of North Carolinians have been without it since Hurricane Helene ripped through the state three weeks ago. Since Helene swallowed mountain towns, damaged water infrastructure and killed nearly 250 people across the Southeast, local governments have been overwhelmed. Without easy access to water for flushing, people are struggling with where to go to the bathroom and what to do with it. Mishandling fecal matter can lead to cholera, dysentery and other serious, even fatal diseases. Members of the community are stepping in to preserve dignity and public health, donating their time and money. In Asheville, one person is making and distributing emergency toilets. Others are hauling water from pools and ponds to those in need. Yet another water solution is coming from people who still have water — because they have a well. Erik Iverson lives near a well owned by an urban farm that wanted to help after the hurricane. He laid two 200-foot lengths of plastic PEX pipe to route the well water to the road for easy public access. Then he added ultraviolet light purification in order to offer drinkable water (however, the city recommends boiling all water sources). Now people driving by can access two spouts, operated by a foot pedal connected to a chain, touch-free to minimize germs spreading. “After an event like this, everybody springs into action and heroic mode wanting to help. It's far in advance of any governmental body or any NGO coming in because we're already here,” Iverson said. “We know what neighbors need to be taken care of and ways that we can contribute." Thousands remain without water as the city is still working to restore water service after its infrastructure was severely damaged in the storm. As global warming worsens, having diverse and local water sources will be critical for future crises, Iverson said. "By having this infrastructure in place both here and at numerous wells across the county, then we have the option of diffusing the weight on one particular water source over another.”