The major wind driven fires around Los Angeles County once again reveal the poor state of Southern California's aging water distribution infrast...

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The major wind driven fires around Los Angeles County once again reveal the poor state of Southern California's aging water distribution infrastructure. As the existing water infrastructure became unable to provide adequate water to fight the numerous spreading fires, large sectors of the population were told to boil potable water -- or not to use it at all. This external fire catastrophe makes us aware of the gravity of the ~20% water leakage losses in distribution systems, as well as the consequence of the resulting slack lines: loss of flow and pressure allows the reflux of previously leaked water back into water mains.
Climate change will result in drought. Drought will create water shortages. Leaking lines will result in inadequate supplies, and potential health hazards due to reflux of external material flowing into slack lines.