Contaminant Migration from Polymer Pipes to Drinking Water under High Temperature Wildfire Exposure

Fischer, Erica C.; Wham, Brad P.; Metz, Amy

doi:10.1061/9780784484432.060

Cited by 3 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…The fate of these contaminants in the distribution network involving plastic and metal infrastructure, scales, and biofilm, under myriad hydraulic and environmental conditions, should also be explored. A recent survey revealed that less than 20% of 24 Western U.S. municipalities had considered the threat of wildfires in water system pipe material selection decisions (Fischer, Wham, & Metz, 2022b). A better understanding of how infrastructure responds to heat, fire, and contamination is needed.…”

Section: Standard Practices For Sampling Analysis and Rapid External ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Marshall Fire: Scientific and policy needs for water system disaster response

Whelton

Seidel²,

Wham

et al. 2023

AWWA Water Science

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The 2021 Marshall Fire was the costliest fire in Colorado's history and destroyed more than 1,000 homes and businesses. The disaster displaced over 40,000 people and damaged six public drinking water systems. A case study was developed to better understand decisions, resources, expertise, and response limitations during and after the wildfire. The fire caused all water systems to lose power. Power loss was sometimes coupled with structure destruction, distribution depressurization, and the failure of backup power systems. These consequences jeopardized fire‐fighting support and allowed for volatile organic compound and semi‐volatile organic compound contamination of water distribution systems. Water system staff, with help from neighboring systems and external technical experts, stabilized the infrastructure, found and removed the contamination, and restored services. Actions were identified for utilities, governments, and researchers that could help communities minimize wildfire impacts, better protect workers and the population, and enable water systems to more rapidly respond and recover.

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Section: Standard Practices For Sampling Analysis and Rapid External ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Marshall Fire: Scientific and policy needs for water system disaster response

Whelton

Seidel²,

Wham

et al. 2023

AWWA Water Science

Self Cite

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“…All tested pipes had interior diameters of 50.8 mm (2 in. ), which is the upper limit of standard service lateral sizes for buildings per the 2018 International Plumbing Code, while also representing a commonly used diameter in WUI communities . STIR-7 HDPE, schedule 40 PVC, type L copper, and galvanized steel were evaluated.…”

Section: Testing Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…STIR-7 HDPE, schedule 40 PVC, type L copper, and galvanized steel were evaluated. These pipe materials are commonly used for service laterals and building systems . Metal pipes are included within this study because no previous studies have investigated if metal pipes can function as a VOC contamination source during a wildfire.…”

Section: Testing Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…), which is the upper limit of standard service lateral sizes for buildings per the 2018 International Plumbing Code, 27 while also representing a commonly used diameter in WUI communities. 28 whole section (×3) PVC spirals, small pieces, and the whole section spirals, small pieces (×2), and the whole section spirals (×2), small pieces (×2), and the whole section (×2) HDPE spirals, small pieces, and the whole section spirals, small pieces, and the whole section spirals (×2), small pieces (×2), and the whole section (×2) copper, and galvanized steel were evaluated. These pipe materials are commonly used for service laterals and building systems.…”

Section: ■ Testing Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These pipe materials are commonly used for service laterals and building systems. 28 Metal pipes are included within this study because no previous studies have investigated if metal pipes can function as a VOC contamination source during a wildfire. PEX pipes are also common; however, they were neglected from this study because in-depth testing had been completed by other researchers.…”

Section: ■ Testing Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Behavior of Service Lateral Pipes during Wildfires: Testing Methodologies and Impact on Drinking Water Contamination

2023

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Wildfires have damaged civil infrastructure throughout wildland urban interface communities, including water distribution systems. Post-wildfire, communities have detected volatile organic compounds (VOCs) within drinking water systems. This paper focuses on the behavior of service lateral pipes used for potable water under fire conditions, with an emphasis on testing methodologies and impacts on drinking water contamination. The authors tested commonly-used service lateral pipes (type L copper, galvanized steel, schedule-40 PVC, and STIR-7 HDPE) at elevated temperatures to determine critical threshold temperatures at which these pipes thermally degrade. This paper summarizes tests evaluating type L copper, galvanized steel, schedule-40 PVC, and STIR-7 HDPE pipe materials at elevated temperatures and numerical simulations to examine fire scenario characteristics that may thermally degrade pipes. Post-heating treatments of the pipes were considered (spirals, small pieces, and whole sections) to examine the influence of different testing methodologies on the contamination levels found in water, primarily how the surface area exposed influences the concentration of contaminants during a fire. Water was analyzed following EPA 524.2, and regression curves were fitted to the results to quantify the threshold temperatures at which pipe materials may release VOCs exceeding federal limits. Practical metrics, including wildfire conditions (heat flux and burn duration) and pipe burial depths, were varied to investigate under what circumstances buried service laterals may exceed threshold temperatures. From the series of tests performed, the authors conclude that neither galvanized steel nor copper released VOCs exceeding the federal limit at the highest tested temperature (300 °C) and that the threshold temperatures for PVC and HDPE were 194 and 254 °C, respectively. Additionally, results show that the surface area of pipe materials tested does affect contamination levels; however, regardless of the surface area tested, the heating of relatively short lengths of pipe (less than 3.25 m) can release contaminants exceeding federal limits.

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Jurisdictional decision-making about building codes for resiliency and sustainability post-fire

Ellery,

Javernick-Will,

Liel

et al. 2023

Environ. Res.: Infrastruct. Sustain.

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The increasing frequency and size of wildfires across the U.S. motivates the growing need to identify how affected communities can rebuild sustainably and resiliently. This study examines the jurisdictional decision-making process surrounding one important class of sustainability and resiliency decisions, focusing on energy and wildfire building codes for housing reconstruction. Through 22 interviews with staff and elected officials in three jurisdictions impacted by Colorado’s Marshall Fire, we identify factors influencing decisions. Code decisions varied across jurisdictions and, in some cases, building codes were relaxed, while in other cases, increased resiliency and sustainability standards were adopted after the fire. Jurisdictions with more experience had more certainty regarding code costs and effectiveness, leading to more stringent code adoption. Thus, findings encourage jurisdictions to create rebuilding plans pre-disaster to reduce the impact of uncertainty in post-disaster decision-making. The data also indicate that while local jurisdictions are well-suited to work cooperatively with homeowners impacted by disasters to return to the community, the state can play a role by informing or mandating disaster plans or establishing minimum code requirements. 

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Contaminant Migration from Polymer Pipes to Drinking Water under High Temperature Wildfire Exposure

Cited by 3 publications

References 10 publications

The Marshall Fire: Scientific and policy needs for water system disaster response

The Marshall Fire: Scientific and policy needs for water system disaster response

Behavior of Service Lateral Pipes during Wildfires: Testing Methodologies and Impact on Drinking Water Contamination

Jurisdictional decision-making about building codes for resiliency and sustainability post-fire

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