Toxic Ash from Californias Record Wildfires Is Clogging Drinking Water Supplies Across the State

[blue-wave]

The Fourmile Canyon Fire, sparked by a backyard burn west of Boulder, Colorado, in 2010, caused $220 million in damage and destroyed 168 homes. It also scorched nearly a quarter of a watershed that supplies water to the nearby community of Pine Brook Hills. The problems didn’t end there: Long after the blaze was put out, intense rainstorms periodically washed sediment and other particles downstream, disrupting water treatment and forcing the local water district to stop pulling water from Fourmile Creek, leaving it reliant upon water already collected in its reservoir.

“The water coming down Fourmile Creek would get so dirty that we simply would shut down moving any water (from the creek),” for days or even weeks, says district manager Robert de Haas. “If we hadn’t built the reservoir”—in 2006—“we’d have been in big trouble.”

Now, new research suggests that such water-quality problems might become more frequent across the West. Climate change is already causing a surge in wildfire activity. As a result, scientists expect to see a rise in erosion in most of the region’s watersheds in the coming decades. Sediment and ash running off burned hillsides into streams can clog reservoirs, smother fish and disrupt municipal water supplies.


Full Article: http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2017/12/toxic-ash-from-californias-record-wildfires-is-clogging-drinking-water-supplies-across-the-state/

[itsrobert]

1. I was putting up Christmas lights last week

And the roof was covered in a black soot. I'm about 15 air miles from the fire in North San Diego County.

[diva77]

2. One of the millions of reasons we need functional regulatory agencies like EPA, Regional

Water Quality Control Boards, etc.



K&R for exposure

[BigmanPigman]

3. I'm surprised Gov Brown didn't see this coming.

He is usually ahead of the game, especially when the environment is concerned.

[defacto7]

4. Do you have reason to think he didn't

or that he could actually change the outcome of recent disaster? Southern CA has been in the headlights of a water disaster for decades. It's amazing they've gotten this far without one.

[BigmanPigman]

5. I am not up to date on that specific info.

I only know from living through the biggest fire in CA history (The Cedar Fire in 2003) until the Thomas Fire.
I also witnessed the the Witch Fire in 2007. As a San Diego resident and teacher I am fairly familiar with the conservation requirements, restrictions, etc. that have been implemented and necessary in our state and I am aware of most of what Brown has been doing and support him 100%. I wish he could run again. I am just saying that I am not aware of state's plans for this additional effect and result of Climate Change.