Wildfire effects on water quality and aquatic ecosystems: Ongoing and planned EPA research abstract
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Wildfire smoke can have human health effects, yet wildfire effects on water quality and aquatic ecosystem—both positive and negative—have been less recognized to date. This is despite the increase in the frequency of wildfire and the number of people and homes occupying the wildland urban interface. Moreover, many US municipalities rely on forested watersheds for the provisioning of drinking water, raising the possibility of disruption of supplies by fire. Here, we provide an overview of the potential effects of wildfire on water quality, drinking water, and aquatic ecosystems, and address its relevance to EPA’s mission of the protection of drinking water and water bodies. We then introduce a series of EPA research efforts aimed at better understanding and protecting these resources from the risks posed by fire. Projects include a literature assessment, analyzing drinking water contaminants post-fire, mapping vulnerable drinking water resources, creation of a fire and water quality modeling platform, and assessing potential vulnerability of aquatic life to fire in the Pacific Northwest. Finally, we discuss potential knowledge gaps, research needs, and disseminating results to decision makers and the larger public.