Wildfires Pose Significant Threat to U.S. Water Quality and Infrastructure
Wildfires are increasingly impacting water quality in the United States, with NASA warning that climate change is amplifying fire activity globally. These fires degrade water quality in forested watersheds, which supply water to nearly two-thirds of U.S. municipalities. The immediate aftermath of a wildfire can lead to water contamination with suspended solids, nutrients, organic carbon, and heavy metals, sometimes exceeding U.S. EPA safe standards by significant margins. Additionally, infrastructure damage from fires, particularly to PVC water pipes, can release volatile organic compounds into the water supply, posing long-term contamination risks. 
