As Los Angeles continues to be hit by devastating wildfires, a number of water systems have been compromised across the region, making water not safe to drink.
Newsweek has contacted the Los Angles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) for comment outside of normal working hours.
Los Angeles is reeling from the fires that have killed at least 25 people and destroyed thousands of homes, schools and businesses.
Damaged water supplies threaten to make the disaster worse for affected individuals.
Cancer-causing chemicals have been found in water systems damaged by wildfires, and chemicals such as benzene can make people immediately ill if consumed.
Water systems can be compromised and contaminated with harmful chemicals as a result of wildfires and firefighting activities. This renders water unsafe to drink or use.
Several utilities across the Los Angeles area have declared some or all of their water potentially unsafe to consume, including the Los Angeles County Public Works, Kinneloa Irrigation District and Rubio Cañon Land and Water.
According to the LADWP, the notices are in place due to the "potential of fire-related contaminants, including benzene and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that may have entered the water system."
A 'Do Not Drink Notice' means that you should not drink your tap water. You should also not attempt to treat the water by boiling, filtering or adding anything.
According to the LADWP, agencies will issue a 'Do Not Drink Notice' when a water supply has "an acute contaminant that cannot be rendered safe boiling water or by disinfection, or is an unproved source with no water quality data."
A 'Do Not Use Notice' means that you should not use tap water for any activities. This includes showering, hand washing, drinking, food preparation or washing dishes.
Local water departments advise using bottled water only.
A 'Boil Water Notice' means that it is not safe to drink or use water unless you have boiled it first.
The Los Angles Department of Water and Power said: "A Do Not Drink Notice was issued because structures in Pacific Palisades were destroyed by fire, and some areas in the water distribution system lost pressure. These conditions may have caused harmful contaminants, including benzene and other volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), to enter the water system."
The wildfires are still ongoing, which could mean that drinking notices remain in place for some time.
Most red flag warnings have now expired, but meteorologists have expressed concern that strong winds will return.