The consequences of wildfires in or near urban areas go beyond the damage to buildings and ecosystems, to the threat of contamination of drinking water according to water quality and treatment experts from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).
The consequences of wildfires in or near urban areas go beyond the damage to buildings and ecosystems, to the threat of contamination of drinking water according to water quality and treatment experts from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).
In a research letter published in the journal Science researchers from the UTS Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater write that wildfires can contaminate drinking water distribution systems, posing substantial and escalating public health risks, with nearly half a billion people globally having experienced wildfires within one kilometre of their homes over the past two decades.
They write that, “Authorities in areas of recent wildfires, such as the 2025 Los Angeles fires, should ensure that drinking water is safe by monitoring and mitigating contamination in water distribution systems.
“Distribution systems transport drinking water from treatment plants to consumers. Water must meet safety standards before leaving a treatment plant, but contamination can occur during transport.
Read more at University of Technology Sydney
Photo Credit: sippakorn via Pixabay
