By Joe Loughmiller—
GREENWOOD, IN – Although fireworks displays are an important part of the Independence Day holiday weekend for many of us, they can contaminate our lakes and waterways if not handled properly.
Indiana American Water, the state’s largest investor-owned water utility, encourages everyone lighting off fireworks this weekend to keep them away from local water sources to help reduce the amount of contaminants entering Indiana’s waterways. Recent studies have shown that many fireworks and the waste they create, may contain certain hazardous compounds that can contaminate water supplies and present health concerns. This is especially important for Hoosiers, since Indiana is one of more than two dozen states that allows the sale and use of most all types of consumer fireworks.
Although there have been many developments to create newer, greener pyrotechnics, most fireworks still contain a cocktail of chemicals that can make their way into local streams, lakes and rivers and negatively impact water quality.
“We want all of our residents to have a great holiday experience and enjoy fireworks displays, but we are also encouraging everyone to be aware of the steps they can take to prevent harmful compounds from threatening our water resources,” said Indiana American Water President Matt Prine. “If you are planning to light off fireworks as a part of your celebrations, make sure you are aware of your surroundings, keep clear of waterways, and clean up fireworks waste to help ensure Indiana’s water supplies are not negatively impacted.”
Indiana American Water asks that people do their part to lessen environmental pollution by:
- Immediately cleaning up firework debris since the shells and debris can contain numerous pollutants that, when left on the ground, can transfer the compound into drinking water sources,
- Disposing of malfunctioning fireworks properly—avoid injury by containing any possible ignition of a ‘dud’ using water in a container to ensure runoff is not lost into the ground,
- Using low-perchlorate fireworks or participating in eco-friendly activities like laser shows
- Implementing Disney World’s practice of using compressed air to launch fireworks, eliminating the use of gunpowder,
- Attending public fireworks displays where professionals are trained to deal with the potential danger and waste from these displays.
Prine added, “In addition to everyone doing their part this holiday, we encourage residents to look for opportunities throughout the year to help keep our waterways clean and help ensure quality water from the source to their tap.”
For more information on what you can do to protect watershed resources, visit us online at https://amwater.com/inaw/water-information/watershed-protection.
About Indiana American Water
Indiana American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and wastewater services to approximately 1.3 million people. With a history dating back to 1886, American Water (NYSE:AWK) is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 6,400 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and regulated-like drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people in 24 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable and reliable water services to our customers to help keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit amwater.com and follow American Water on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
