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.
