Wildfires threaten drinking water with contamination risks

As wildfires rage, the aftermath poses a hidden threat to clean water supplies, contaminating reservoirs and water systems for months after the flames are extinguished.

In short:

• Wildfires can introduce cancer-causing substances into water supplies, affecting millions in high-risk areas.
• Burned vegetation and ash prevent water absorption, leading to flash floods and contamination.
• High ambient heat can compromise PVC water lines, unfurling plastic polymers and releasing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the water supply.

Key quote:

"We’re destabilizing [water] systems and we don’t even know in what way and how."

— Newsha Ajami, chief strategic development officer, Lawrence Berkeley National Labs.

Why this matters:

As the flames consume everything in their path, they release a cocktail of chemicals and heavy metals from burned structures, vegetation, and soil. These toxics seep into waterways and reservoirs, turning our taps into potential health hazards. Read more: US lead pipe replacements stoke concerns about plastic and environmental injustice.