Quality of drinking water at increasing risk amid wildfires

Although there have been no major impacts on drinking water yet from the intense wildfires, authorities know from experience that the risks will be elevated for years while the damaged catchment areas, including pine and eucalyptus forests, recover.

Section:Gallery

Fri., Jan. 31, 2020

A boom floats across a small bay near the dam wall at Warragamba Dam in Warragamba, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020. Although there have been no major impacts on drinking water yet from the intense wildfires, authorities know from experience that the risks will be elevated for years while the damaged catchment areas, including pine and eucalyptus forests, recover.

Rick Rycroft Associated Press
Timbers from a small bridge over a small creek smolder Jan. 5, 2020, after fire destroyed the crossing near Burrill Lake, Australia. Although there have been no major impacts on drinking water yet from the intense wildfires, authorities know from experience that the risks will be elevated for years while the damaged catchment areas, including pine and eucalyptus forests, recover.

Rick Rycroft Associated Press
Cattle graze Jan. 9, 2020, in a field as smoke rises from burning fires on mountains near Moruya, Australia. Although there have been no major impacts on drinking water yet from the intense wildfires, authorities know from experience that the risks will be elevated for years while the damaged catchment areas, including pine and eucalyptus forests, recover.

Rick Rycroft Associated Press