As the fires continue to burn across Los Angeles, many utilities have declared their drinking water unsafe until widespread testing proves otherwise. Read this also California wildfires live: ‘Especially dangerous conditions’ forecast for fire-ravaged Los Angeles
The hotter, drier climate means wildfires are becoming worse, and overtaking cities with devastating impact. Experts say toxic chemicals released from the burning could leach into damaged drinking water systems and even filtering or boiling won’t help.
Last week, Pasadena Water & Power issued “do not drink” notices to about a third of its customers for the first time since it began distributing water more than a century ago. With at least one burned pump, several damaged storage tanks, and burned homes, they knew there was a chance that toxic chemicals had entered their pipes.
“Out of an abundance of caution, you have to anticipate the worst-case scenario,” said Stacey Takeguchi, the utility’s chief assistant general manager.
This week, they lifted the notice from most of the area after the test.
Why are urban fires a threat to drinking water?
When large fires burn in towns and cities rather than in forests and grasslands, massive damage to infrastructure can occur. When drinking water systems are damaged in a fire, “ash, smoke, soot, other debris and gases travel into the water pipe network,” said Andrew Whelton, an engineering professor at Purdue University who specializes in water supply in affected communities. Do research on pollution. Fire.
Those elements can be especially toxic, he said, because chemically engineered synthetics in building materials and homes are heating up, burning, and releasing particles and gases. Experts say some of those chemicals are harmful even in low concentrations. Read this also The hidden cost of water on public health
How do chemicals get into pipes?
Water systems are usually under sufficient internal pressure to keep harmful elements out. But that critical pressure can be lost in a number of ways during a fire, which means toxins can get in.
There is normal demand on the water system from people who do not need to evacuate. Firefighters use a lot of water. Pipes in burnt buildings may be damaged, causing water to spew out.
Power loss can also cause pressure loss when pumps stop working, said Greg Pierce, a professor of urban environmental policy at the University of California. This happened during the 2023 Maui fires.
“It’s really difficult, if not impossible, to maintain power supply to the entire water system in the event of a fire, because you’re either turning off power, because power can contribute to a fire, or it just goes out ,” Pierce said. “And then you’re relying on generators in the best places.”
Loss of pressure can affect not only water quality but also the availability of water for fire fighting. Hydrants ran dry in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood as nearby homes burned. The utility said it was due to high demand and that the pumps were working, but California Governor Gavin Newsom said the state would investigate.
What is the health risk?
Experts say toxic chemicals present in drinking water after a fire pose risks ranging from temporary nausea to cancer.
“In Paradise (Calif.), benzene levels were high enough to give a child a serious blood disorder,” said Dr. Lynn Goldman, dean of the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University, referring to the 2018 Camp Fire. Could have done.” Most cities.
Even very low levels of some chemicals may be a cause for concern. In California, state regulators say only one part per billion of benzene – a known carcinogen – is considered a safe level in drinking water, calculating a 70-year risk. The national recommendation is no more than five parts per billion. Read this also 180 people admitted to hospital after drinking contaminated water in Kalaburagi district
“In terms of cancer risk, we’re really interested in the cumulative amount that you’re exposed to over your lifetime,” Goldman said. “Real risk.”
Benzene and similar compounds are known to be volatile because they disperse into the air, like gasoline that turns into vapor when it drips from the pump onto your car. A group of heavy compounds, called semi-volatile organic compounds, or SVOCs, were found in water pipes in Louisville, Colorado, after the 2021 Marshall Fire, even when benzene and other better-known chemicals were not. Whelton says it’s important to test both.
What will happen next?
There are more than 200 water service providers in vast Los Angeles County, but so far only a handful have acknowledged that damage or loss of pressure could result from chemical contamination and have issued “do not drink” notices. Utilities are focusing on making sure there is enough water to fight fires, although some have begun testing for contaminants. Testing may take several weeks or even months before water is declared safe to drink in areas with minimal damage.
This is sometimes the best situation.
Most of the buildings burned in the heavenly fire. The city rebuilt a reservoir and is working to replace 10,000 service lines. It expects to spend another $50 million over the next decade to replace about 17 of the 172 miles of main lines that have been contaminated.
Whelton does not recommend people pay for expensive water testing in their homes until their utility has declared the public water system safe.
Many publicly available water quality tests “are not able to detect fire-related drinking water contamination,” Whelton wrote on X this week. Having your water professionally tested once utility water is declared safe is the best way to know if your pipes are contaminated, he said.
People should follow guidelines issued by their utility or local health department on safety precautions until their water is declared safe.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.
