Indiana American Water (IAWC) is encouraging Hoosiers to keep fireworks away from lakes and waterways this Fourth of July holiday weekend.
Officials from IAWC, which serves customers in Greenwood, Franklin and New Whiteland, are asking people to keep fireworks away from water sources to avoid water contamination. Recent studies have shown that many fireworks and the waste they create may contain hazardous compounds that can contaminate water supplies and present health concerns, according to an IAWC news release.
This is especially important for Hoosiers, as Indiana is one of more than two dozen states that allow the sale and use of almost all types of consumer fireworks, utility officials said.
While there have been some developments to create newer, greener pyrotechnics, most fireworks still contain potentially harmful chemicals, officials say.
IAWC officials are asking that Hoosiers immediately clean up firework debris since the debris can contain numerous pollutants that, when left on the ground, can transfer the compound into drinking water sources. Residents should also dispose of malfunctioning fireworks properly, and use low-perchlorate fireworks, according to the news release.
