Shocking! Severe water pollution caused by wildfires in Hawaii takes a long time to recover. Platform | Maui Island | Time
On August 22, according to the Associated Press, Maui County, Hawaii, USA, has warned residents in the disaster stricken areas of Maui Island on social media not to attempt to filter drinking water themselves, as "there is no way to make it safe.".
According to reports, the wildfire on Maui Island has damaged hundreds of drinking water pipes, potentially causing toxic chemicals, metals, and bacteria to enter the pipes.
Experts warn that it will take a long time to fully restore water safety. "Surprisingly, it may exist in the water system for a period of time," said Rillero, an expert in the field of conservation and communication who has lived on Maui Island for 22 years
According to reports, some water filters or purifiers connected to water tanks, refrigerators, and whole house systems are unlikely to solve the "extreme pollution" that occurs after a fire.
Andrew Whelton, a researcher at Purdue University and an expert in water pollution after urban fires, said, "This can reduce some, but prominent and immediate levels will still exist."
People are told to minimize contact with water, including bathing. At present, Maoyi County informs people to use bottled water to meet all needs, or to go to water tankers near the burning area to load water.
Previously, the Great Fire in Paradise Town, Northern California, USA in 2018 also caused water pollution, and people were not aware of the severity of water pollution at that time. A few years ago, people only knew that wildfires would pollute water sources, such as ash falling into rivers or reservoirs causing pollution. After the Tiantangzhen fire, the government was not aware that smoke and chemicals would seep into the broken and melted water pipes, and only required people to boil them before using water.
After the fire, the California Water Resources Control Board stated that as long as the water has no odor, people can drink it. But two and a half weeks later, the committee announced that the water contained benzene. It was not until two months later that the third-party organization confirmed that water was unsafe and warned the public not to attempt to handle water on their own.
"There are many unknowns. When scientists appeared after six months of recovery, they answered many questions we wanted to know from the beginning," said Ritchie, the regional assistant manager of the Tiantangzhen Irrigation District Water Company
According to reports, there may also be contamination of volatile substances in the Maui Island fire. The government of Hawaii has informed Maui County that volatile substances need to be tested as they can spread in the air. Whelton's research on fires in other regions suggests that some "semi volatile" substances can also contaminate damaged water pipes.
Wilson, a groundwater hydrology expert at the University of Illinois, said that residents who draw water from private wells should also undergo testing. "In cases of fires, it may seem good, but it is difficult to understand that fires may also affect their interiors."
Whelton expressed the hope that the requirements regarding water safety will not be cancelled until it is repeatedly confirmed that there are no security threats.
