Practical Water Wisdom: Potential Impact of Fireworks on Lakes and Other Waters

Webinar overview

Each year in the U.S., hundreds of millions of pounds of fireworks are used, releasing perchlorate, a key fireworks ingredient and a known drinking water contaminant, into the environment. Perchlorate can disrupt thyroid function, and studies have shown that fireworks can elevate perchlorate levels in nearby surface and groundwater.

This presentation explores how fireworks may affect drinking water sources by examining field studies, aerial deposition measurements, and national water surveys conducted before and after major fireworks events. We’ll discuss how factors such as the amount of fireworks used, waterbody size, dilution capacity, direct deposition, runoff, and natural attenuation influence perchlorate levels and potential risks to water quality.