In Erik Larson's "The Devil in the White City," the impact of heavy rains is vividly illustrated as river water, polluted and murky, spreads into Lake Michigan. This pollution raises concerns about the quality of drinking water drawn from the lake, as it threatens the intake pipes that serve the city. The scene captures the interplay between nature's forces and urban infrastructure, highlighting the vulnerability of the city's water supply during severe weather.

Larson's narrative weaves together elements of murder and intrigue set against the backdrop of the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. The image of the contaminated water serves as a metaphor for the darkness lurking beneath the surface of the city's progress and prosperity, as it grapples with issues of public health and safety amidst the grandiosity of the fair. This tension between beauty and danger is central to the themes explored in the book.