As fall begins, Hoosiers are soaking up the last weeks of warmer weather. Whether it’s hikes through our state parks, catching a game at Lucas Oil Stadium, or spending weekends at the beautiful waters across the state, it’s worth remembering the natural systems that make it all possible — especially the water sources that fuel our seasonal activities and everyday lives.
Source water refers to the rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and aquifers that supply drinking water to Indiana homes and businesses. When contaminants enter the water supply, they put public health and community well-being at risk.
Unfortunately, recent events across the state have shown how vulnerable these water sources can be. This summer, Indiana’s waterways faced significant challenges, making them less suitable for recreational activities at times due to contaminants like E.coli, toxic algae, and other waterborne pathogens.
While Indiana American Water works year-round to monitor, test, and treat your water, these kinds of incidents can impact the water sources we rely on. Fortunately, there are steps we can all take to protect and preserve these drinking water sources.
To help keep contaminants out of waterways, residents can:
- Use and dispose of harmful materials properly.
- Dispose of pharmaceuticals by taking them to collection sites, where available.
- Don’t flush them down the toilet!
- Check for leaks from heating fuel tanks and automobiles.
- Limit the use of fertilizers and pesticides on your lawn or consider natural alternatives.
- Clean up litter, pet waste and lawn clippings from your yard that may end up in the storm drains when it rains.
- Fuel your boat cautiously and keep the engine well-tuned to prevent oil leaks.
- Properly abandon and seal old wells on your property. Do not use them for disposal pits!
- Inspect your septic system and have it serviced regularly — usually every 3-5 years.
- Report any spills, illegal dumping or suspicious activity to local or state authorities.
Businesses can also play a role in protecting water supplies by following best management practices for storing, handling and reporting information about materials at their facilities. Businesses should:
- Ensure that they follow all applicable regulations related to waste management, including wastewater and stormwater discharges. Keep permits up to date and comply with permit requirements.
- Follow industry best practices for proper materials management, including the responsible selection, use, storage, transport and disposal of products.
- Develop and maintain pollution prevention and spill response and prevention plans that identify measures to prevent releases to waterways.
- Train employees in proper material handling and spill response procedures.
- Secure storage areas against unauthorized entry.
- Investigate the routing of floor drains. It is typically recommended that floor drains connected to sanitary or stormwater sewers near hazardous material be capped.
- Inspect vehicles regularly to be sure they are not leaking fluids like oil or antifreeze.
- Limit the use of fertilizers and pesticides on the property or consider natural alternatives.
- Report any spills immediately to proper authorities. Report any suspicious activities to local law enforcement.
Community-minded Hoosiers can also find opportunities to help preserve our local waterways and streams by joining cleanup groups and events, participating in a collection day for household materials and pharmaceuticals, or simply raising public awareness by sharing this information with their neighbors.
Warm weather may only continue for a few more weeks, but choices made regarding drinking water protection have ongoing effects. Whether at home, at work, or within communities, everyone can contribute to maintaining Indiana’s water quality.