Not Uncommon for Pollutants to Enter Water Supply After a Fire

The City is testing the drinking water today amid concern that ash may have made its way into the supply.

Last week the City’s utility told local residents not to drink or cook with the water after the massive fire broke out in Eaton Canyon, which prompted a massive response from firefighters in Altadena and Pasadena.

Local residents should not use tap water for drinking and cooking. Bottled water should be used for all drinking (including baby formula and juice), brushing teeth, washing dishes, making ice and food preparation.

Boiling, freezing, filtering, adding chlorine or other disinfectants, or letting water stand will not make the water safe to drink.

It is not uncommon for wildfires to impact drinking water.

The Woolsey Fire in Malibu in 2018 contaminated drinking water with bacteria, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other chemicals.

The fire released VOCs like benzene, toluene, and styrene into the water, which can cause skin irritation, nausea, and more serious health issues.

The chemicals released from partially melted plastic pipes and water meters.

Benzine is a flammable, volatile, colorless liquid that’s a mixture of hydrocarbons. It’s used as a solvent in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, and as a motor fuel. Benzine is also used in cleaning and dyeing.

Toluene is a natural substance found in crude oil and gasoline. It’s used as a solvent in many products, including: paints, paint thinners, fingernail polish, lacquers, adhesives, and rubber.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, other pollutants, like mercury and lead left over from the 20th century mining boom and other old industries, more easily find their way into water after wildfires.