The Fire May Be Out, But the Danger Isn’t Over
Wildfires devastate landscapes, homes, and ecosystems — but their impact doesn’t end with the flames.
Drinking water systems are especially vulnerable in the aftermath. Heat, ash, and chemical debris can compromise infrastructure, introduce toxic contaminants, and leave entire communities without safe water — sometimes for months.
Whether you operate a public utility, manage a private well, or serve a remote facility, you need to know what to do before, during, and after a wildfire to protect water safety and public health.
How Wildfires Compromise Drinking Water
Infrastructure Damage
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Plastic Pipes: Can melt or leach harmful chemicals when exposed to extreme heat
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Metal Pipes: May warp or corrode, increasing the risk of leaks and backflow
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Wells & Pumps: Often exposed in rural areas — flames, ash, and heat can cause unseen internal damage
Contaminated Water Sources
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Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Fires release benzene, toluene, styrene — all known to infiltrate water systems
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Ash & Debris: Runoff from burn scars contributes to high turbidity, taste/odor problems, and organic load in surface water
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Chemical Runoff: Urban fires release toxins from plastics, paints, vehicles, and building materials — these can enter both surface and groundwater
Health Risks: What’s in Post-Wildfire Water?
| Contaminant | Health Impact |
|---|---|
| VOCs | Nausea, dizziness, respiratory distress, cancer risk |
| Heavy Metals | Neurological damage, developmental issues, carcinogenic effects |
| Pathogens | Diarrhea, hepatitis, gastrointestinal infections due to backflow or pipe breaches |
Even when water looks and smells normal, it can contain invisible contaminants that are harmful or fatal with prolonged exposure.
Why Boil Water Advisories Are Not Enough
Do Not Drink Notices
Boiling does NOT remove VOCs or heavy metals — in fact, it can concentrate them. If these are detected, a Do Not Drink Notice must be issued.
Do Not Use Notices
If water is heavily contaminated with hazardous chemicals, all uses must stop — even bathing, brushing teeth, or washing clothes.
Clear, fast communication is critical. Utilities must go beyond basic alerts — with public signage, flyers, digital notices, and direct community outreach.
What to Do After a Wildfire Hits Your Water System
1. Test Thoroughly — and Repeatedly
Start with:
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VOCs (especially benzene)
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Heavy metals
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Microbial pathogens
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Turbidity and pH
Do not rush to disinfection. VOCs must be cleared first to avoid creating harmful chemical reactions.
2. Inspect All Infrastructure
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Check for heat deformation, leaks, corrosion
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Replace compromised piping or components
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Inspect above-ground assets like storage tanks and pump houses for fire damage
3. Flush and Disinfect in Sequence
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Remove standing water, ash, and debris before applying disinfectants
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Flush distribution lines thoroughly
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Disinfect only after clearing chemical hazards
4. Monitor Long-Term
Wildfire impacts can linger for months or years. Continue testing as rainfall, runoff, and erosion reintroduce contaminants.
Private Wells vs. Public Systems: What You Need to Know
Private Well Owners
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Even if your well looks fine, the casing may be cracked or contaminated
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Test for VOCs, metals, and bacteria before using
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If in doubt, use bottled water until cleared by a certified lab
Public & Community Systems
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Coordinate with local and state health departments
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Consider Do Not Drink or Do Not Use orders until water is fully cleared
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Upgrade filtration and chemical treatment systems to handle increased organic and chemical loads
What You Should Do Before the Next Fire
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Use fire-resistant materials for pump stations and tank enclosures
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Install backflow prevention devices
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Build redundancy into system access and remote monitoring
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Train staff on emergency SOPs, notification protocols, and hazard response
How BCG Water Helps You Recover—and Prepare
We support:
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Full post-fire water quality testing (including VOC panels)
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Infrastructure damage assessments
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Remediation planning and SOP development
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Emergency response team coordination
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Preventive upgrades and grant application support
Whether you’re facing wildfire recovery or building a proactive resilience plan, BCG Water is your expert ally in protecting public health and water safety.
Call to Action (CTA)
Has your water system been impacted by wildfire? Need to build a response plan now, before it happens again?
👉 Schedule a Resilience Consultation with BCG Water today.