Overview

• Utilities in Los Angeles County, including Pasadena and Pacific Palisades, have issued 'Do Not Drink' notices due to potential wildfire-related water contamination.
• Experts warn that toxic chemicals like benzene and vinyl chloride, released from burned materials and damaged infrastructure, pose serious health risks, including cancer and other illnesses.
• Wildfires can depressurize water systems, allowing contaminants such as ash, smoke, and volatile organic compounds to enter the supply, making water unsafe for consumption even after boiling.
• Testing and recovery of water systems may take weeks or months, with some areas requiring extensive infrastructure repairs or replacements to restore safe water access.
• Residents are advised to follow utility guidance, use bottled water, and avoid costly private testing until public water systems are declared safe.