"BOULDER CREEK, Calif. — As the first heavy rains of the season poured across the Santa Cruz Mountains last month, emergency responders and residents braced for debris flows, road closures and power outages.
Others also feared for their drinking water. These included Boulder Creek resident Dan Fitzpatrick, who amid the downpours pictured the rain washing over burned-out neighborhoodsand into the catchment system of his water provider.
“Every storm that has occurred since the fire has caused the water to run black for a few days, so I know runoff is making it into the water,” said Fitzpatrick, a former member of his water district’s engineering committee.
While noting that burnt vegetation causes much of the black gunk, he added that there is “probably more than just carbon in that soot.” "
Susanne Rust reports for the Los Angeles Times February 13, 2021.
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