Smoke and Water Don't Mix

A recent paper reported benzene and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at concentrations 2-3 orders of magnitude above drinking water standards, likely caused by thermal degradation of plastic materials.

“A recent paper reported benzene and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at concentrations 2–3 orders of magnitude above drinking water standards, likely caused by thermal degradation of plastic materials (Macler et al., 2020).”

A second set of articles described increases in benzene and other VOCs due to damaged pipes following two destructive wildland fires affecting WUI urbanized areas in California.

“A second set of articles described increases in benzene and other VOCs due to damaged pipes following two destructive wildland fires affecting WUI urbanized areas in California (Macler et al., 2020; Proctor et al., 2020).”

Fires in Santa Rosa, CA and Paradise, CA in 2017 and 2018, respectively, burned houses and melted plastic water service lines.

“Fires in Santa Rosa, CA and Paradise, CA in 2017 and 2018, respectively, burned houses and melted plastic water service lines.”

Benzene was detected at concentrations exceeding federal and state standards.

“Benzene was detected at concentrations exceeding federal and state standards (Table 2).”

The partial melting of the pipes and back siphonage of smoke, ash, and other materials during depressurization of the water system likely led to the spreading of VOC contamination through the water pipes.

“The partial melting of the pipes and back siphonage of smoke, ash, and other materials during depressurization of the water system likely led to the spreading of VOC contamination through the water pipes.”

Do not drink orders were issued, and contaminants sorbed to plastic pipes required flushing and, in some cases, wholesale infrastructure replacement to remedy.

“Do not drink orders were issued, and contaminants sorbed to plastic pipes required flushing and, in some cases, wholesale infrastructure replacement to remedy (Macler et al., 2020).”

Fire can directly impact drinking water infrastructure in WUI urban areas, causing organic compound contamination.

“In addition to PAHs in runoff, fire can directly impact drinking water infrastructure in WUI urban areas, causing organic compound contamination.”

Physical damage from fire is a threat to drinking water infrastructure, such as cases observed in California.

“Physical damage from fire is also a threat to drinking water infrastructure, such as the cases observed in California (Macler et al., 2020).”

Recent finding of benzene and VOCs in tapwater from infrastructure damage in the WUI is a potentially important, emerging issue.

“We also note the recent finding of benzene and VOCs in tapwater from infrastructure damage in the WUI as a potentially important, emerging issue.”