Wildfires near urban areas are contaminating drinking water distribution systems, posing significant public health risks, according to researchers from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). In a letter published in Science, the team highlights that nearly half a billion people globally have lived within one kilometers of wildfires in the past 20 years, increasing exposure to harmful contaminants like benzene.
The researchers explain that wildfires can compromise water safety even after treatment. Plastic pipes degraded by heat or infiltrated by smoke allow volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including carcinogens, to enter distribution systems. These contaminants can persist for months, spreading through networks and reaching consumers. For instance, benzene levels remained dangerously high in California’s water supply 11 months after the 2017 Santa Rosa wildfire.
Dr. Xuan Li, the letter’s lead author, emphasized the risks: “Even short-term exposure to benzene harms children, while long-term exposure raises leukemia risks.” Yet, such contaminants are rarely monitored at the consumer level, leaving communities unaware.
Professor Qilin Wang, the corresponding author, linked the issue to climate change and urban expansion, noting that contamination levels often correlate with wildfire severity. “Areas like Los Angeles face escalating threats,” he said, urging governments to implement stricter monitoring and safety protocols.
The study calls for urgent action, including updated guidelines and testing for wildfire-related VOCs, to safeguard drinking water as wildfires become more frequent and intense.
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