Drinking water treatment response following a Colorado wildfire

Hohner, Amanda K.; Cawley, Kaelin M.; Oropeza, Jill; Summers, R. Scott; Rosario‐Ortiz, Fernando L.

doi:10.1016/j.watres.2016.08.034

Cited by 88 publications

(138 citation statements)

References 72 publications

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“…The increase in S R again supports a decrease in DOM size after heating, possibly explained by the destruction of larger compounds through decarboxylation and dehydration pathways (Sharma, Chan, & Seeman, ). A shift to lower‐molecular‐weight DOM, indicated by optical properties, was observed in several field and lab‐based studies (Hohner et al, ; Wang, Dahlgren, & Chow, ; Wang, Dahlgren, Erşan, et al, ). Furthermore, SEC‐UVA showed a general trend toward lower‐molecular‐weight DOM following heating (Figure S2).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 80%

“…Lower‐molecular‐weight DOM is generally more challenging to remove by conventional treatment processes (Archer & Singer, ; Quang, Choi, & Hur, ; White, Thompson, Harrington, & Singer, ), with implications for finished water quality. Furthermore, an increase in nitrogenous DBP (N‐DBP) precursors has been observed for postfire river samples (Hohner et al, ), wildfire‐affected sediment leachates (Hohner, Terry, Townsend, Summers, & Rosario‐Ortiz, ), and wildfire detritus extracts (Fernández et al, ; Wang, Dahlgren, Erşan, et al, ). Although N‐DBPs are not regulated, they pose a public health concern due to a potentially higher toxicity compared with the regulated carbonaceous DBPs (C‐DBPs), total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), and sum of five haloacetic acids (HAA5) (Plewa, Wagner, & Richardson, ; Richardson, Plewa, Wagner, Schoeny, & Demarini, ; Wagner & Plewa, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Following fires, erosion processes can transport significant amounts of sediments, ash, and debris to nearby surface waters (Reneau, Katzman, Kuyumjian, Lavine, & Malmon, ; Smith et al, ). The increase in particulates can pose challenges for water conveyance infrastructure (Sham, Tuccillo, & Rooke, ) and treatment processes (Emelko, Silins, Bladon, & Stone, ; Hohner, Cawley, Oropeza, Summers, & Rosario‐Ortiz, ). Research also suggests that wildfires may alter the quantity and quality of dissolved organic matter (DOM) (Hohner et al, ; Hohner, Rhoades, Wilkerson, & Rosario‐Ortiz, ; Wang, Dahlgren, Erşan, Karanfil, & Chow, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The increase in particulates can pose challenges for water conveyance infrastructure (Sham, Tuccillo, & Rooke, ) and treatment processes (Emelko, Silins, Bladon, & Stone, ; Hohner, Cawley, Oropeza, Summers, & Rosario‐Ortiz, ). Research also suggests that wildfires may alter the quantity and quality of dissolved organic matter (DOM) (Hohner et al, ; Hohner, Rhoades, Wilkerson, & Rosario‐Ortiz, ; Wang, Dahlgren, Erşan, Karanfil, & Chow, ). DOM is an important parameter for drinking water utilities as it influences the formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), ) and may dictate the type of water treatment required.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a previous study by Hohner et al (), postfire river samples collected following precipitation events had high turbidity (>800 ntu) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC; >18 mg C /L), resulting in a poor response to coagulation (<10% DOC removal) (Hohner et al, ). Following the fire, the DOM appeared to be of an altered character, likely a lower‐molecular‐weight composition, indicated by a shift in the fluorescence index.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Laboratory simulation of postfire effects on conventional drinking water treatment and disinfection byproduct formation

2019

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What is the present research focus of your group?My research group evaluates the effects of extreme events and watershed disturbances on the resilience of drinking water systems. We study how events such as wildfire, floods, and droughts affect source water quality and treatment process performance, and how utilities can best adapt to address these disruptions in water quality. What motivated the research behind your recent article in AWWA Water Science-that is, what problems are you trying to solve?Our research was motivated by the needs of water utilities across North America, but especially utilities in the West that have experienced wildfires or are concerned about the risk of future wildfires to their water treatment system. The rise in wildfire 24 JOURNAL AWWA T h e o r y a n d P r a c t i c e o f S a f e , S u s t a i n a b l e W a t e r www.awwawaterscience.com Amanda (Mandi) collects water samples from the Naches River in central Washington during a day trip with her research group. The Naches River supplies drinking water to the City of Yakima; upstream drainage areas were burned in 2017 by the Norse Peak fire in the Cascade Mountains.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 80%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Laboratory simulation of postfire effects on conventional drinking water treatment and disinfection byproduct formation

2019

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Impact of simulated wildfire on disinfection byproduct formation potential

Wilkerson

Rosario‐Ortiz

2021

AWWA Water Science

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Wildfires are complex phenomena that have served a vital role in ecosystem function for millennia. However, thermal alterations to dissolved organic matter's (DOM) solubility and chemical features can change disinfection byproduct (DBP) formation dynamics. Physicochemical changes to DOM are influenced by several factors, the most prominent being heating temperature. In this study, mineral soil samples were collected from fire-prone areas, artificially heated in a muffle furnace to simulate wildfire heating, and leached. As heating temperature increased, chloroform and dichloroacetic acid yields decreased and increased, respectively. Of particular interest was the stimulation of dichloroacetonitrile, a highly toxic and unregulated DBP, at moderate heating temperatures. To demonstrate further insight into the chemical attributes of wildfire-impacted DOM, optical properties were used as proxy measurements. This work provides water utilities with information on how wildfires can alter DBP formation potential, and a means to investigate correlations between intrinsic optical measurements and DBP yields.

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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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Drinking water treatment response following a Colorado wildfire

Cited by 88 publications

References 72 publications

Laboratory simulation of postfire effects on conventional drinking water treatment and disinfection byproduct formation

Laboratory simulation of postfire effects on conventional drinking water treatment and disinfection byproduct formation

Impact of simulated wildfire on disinfection byproduct formation potential

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

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