Summer weather is here and that means boating season is in full swing as well. Hoosiers are hitting lakes and waterways around the state to soak up the sun, ski, swim, and more.
While you’re boating this summer, make sure you are also doing your part to keep Hoosier waterways clean. Boats and boaters can be significant contributors to water pollution so changing your habits and practices can go a long way toward keeping our lakes and rivers healthy.
Prevent Boat Water Pollution
- Before hitting the water, always give your boat a tune-up or have it professionally serviced. Doing so will help prevent oil and gasoline leaks into the water.
- Maintain your boat’s exterior surfaces – prevent chipping paint from contaminating waterways by adding a coat. Limit your use of cleaning supplies, as they can wash into the water when you take your boat out. Choose environmentally-friendly boat cleaning solutions when needed.
- Upgrade your motor to a modern four-stroke model. Older two-stroke boat motors can emit up to 30 percent of their unutilised gas/oil mix into the water; four-stroke motors give off 97 percent less water and air pollution than old two-stroke motors.
- Clean off the bottom of your boat when leaving a waterway – pests and unwanted organisms can travel between waterways on your boat, causing contamination to the next lake or river you visit.
Prevent Water Pollution While Boating
- Leave no trace – never leave behind litter in the water or on land while boating. If you see trash in the water or on shore, please pick it up and properly dispose of it once you dock. Litter can choke or trap fish and marine animals.
- Never dispose of bio-solids in waterways. Bio-solids from humans contain organisms which ca make others ill, such as bacteria and parasites.
- Travel slowly in shallow and no wake zones – no more than 5 miles per hour. This will work to prevent your motor from churning up sediment, which causes nutrients such as phosphorus to become suspended in the water. These nutrients can cause algae to flourish and present a danger to fish populations.
Indiana American Water is committed to helping Hoosiers maintain excellent water quality, starting with our waterways. By keeping Hoosier waterways clean, you are doing your part to ensure the water you use every day in your home will be the high-quality product you have come to expect.