The Conversation published a new report that links California wildfires to contaminated drinking water in small water systems. Last year, the report’s authors found that at least seven water systems were contaminated. The contamination likely affected thousands of private wells. The report cites elevated benzene levels in particular. Wildfires can damage water distribution pipes, wells and the plumbing in homes and other buildings commonly due to melted plastic pipes. This can cause both immediate and long-term damage from dangerous carcinogens.

The report also highlights several examples of misinformation that was distributed from various government agencies.

You can read the full report from The Conversation here: https://theconversation.com/wildfires-are-contaminating-drinking-water-systems-and-its-more-widespread-than-people-realize-159527