Fire, smoke and ash: will it impact water quality

A Chico State University water researcher answers the question: will the smoke and ash lingering in the air from wildfires impact local water quality

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### it looks bad, smells bad and has created air quality deemed "unhealthy" - we're talking about smoke and ash.

I wanted to find out, whether those particles in the air are destined to have an impact on local water - and turned to a chico state water researcher for answers.

Despite scenes of "other worldly" skies over the past week, chico state water researcher, dr. jackson webster, says there's a bright spot... we don't need to worry about harmful impacts to our water.

"our water quality is not likely to be impacted by the ash falling to the ground."

A nationally recognized water researcher, after the camp fire dr. webster took parin in a number of studies on wildfire impacts to waterways.

I reached out to ask him...what does this latest round of fires mean?

He explains, our region's drinking water supply is ground water... it's from the mountains and has been underground a long time... he says the ground serves as a natural filter.

"it is moving pathogens and particles and it's high quality water not impacted by wildfire."

Dr. webster says there is a slight possiblity that lake oroville - one of the state's largest reservoirs - could feel some impacts.

"if we get lots of rain in the fall, we could see ash and charcoal and debris contaminating the reservoir, there could be long term water quality impacts to the reservoir.

That means water managers will need to stay alert - and capable of changing treatment technology as needed.

But bottom line... "it looks and smells worse than it probably is?

Yes, it looks and smells worse than it probably is...we see it all over..

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I also asked dr. webster about possible impacts to wildlife.

He says wildfire is a natural part of the sierra nevada ecology and eco-system, so wildlife and fish tend to adapt quickly.