For several days now, municipal authorities and water utilities in Los Angeles have warned residents of areas affected by the fires not to drink tap water as there is a serious risk of contamination. This is due to an underground accumulation of the plastic that melted from the heat of the violent fires, which mixed with ash and debris, may end up in the water mains that carry drinking water in the city.
Faith Kearns, a scientist and director of research communications at Arizona State University’s Arizona water innovation initiative, points out that it’s uncertain when drinking water will become safe again for residents. The expert further explains that drinking it could cause diseases such as giardiasis, a ‘bacterial infection that causes serious gastrointestinal problems, or trigger long-term health consequences from exposure to carcinogenic chemicals.
Residents have also been asked to limit activities involving hot water such as bathing, washing dishes or doing laundry as the heat can release chemicals into the air.
Also in Pasadena, citizens have been warned not to drink tap water even if previously boiled, because although boiling may kill viruses and bacteria, it does not protect against toxic chemicals that are often generated during wildfires, explains Daniel McCurry, professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Southern California. According to Kearns, the severity of the situation will depend on the extent of physical damage done to the water infrastructure. “These fires are not out yet, so the situation is not stable.”
