Water providers have been faced with the challenge of providing clean water despite the evolving fire season in the West. A resident of Boulder Creek, California began noticing how wildfires were negatively affecting the water quality in their area. Dan Fitzpatrick, a former member of his water districts water engineering committee, observed how the water tends to run black after a storm following a fire. This water quality is due to heavy rain carrying debris leftover from fires to catchment systems for water suppliers. Although many water suppliers in the area are able to alternate the sources of their supply between catchment systems and underground systems, scientists are urging officials to take this matter more seriously. Although pollutant levels are tested in water treatment systems, it is not clear how long pollutants may linger in the water.
