Surface Water Management

Good Firework Housekeeping for Water Quality

Help us keep our rivers, lakes, and streams healthy by practicing good firework housekeeping. Fireworks have heavy metals, perchlorate and other pollutants that can harm people and the environment. The chemicals in fireworks can pollute our rivers, lakes, and streams when fireworks are detonated over waterbodies and when firework waste is not disposed of properly. 

Good Housekeeping Tips  

Do:

• Sweep streets and sidewalks of spent firework shells, stars, paper, carboard and fuses and properly dispose of the waste. 
• Collect and manage “duds” following manufacturer’s instruction.
• Soak used fireworks in water. Dispose of soaked fireworks in garbage and pour the water into your grassy area away from stormwater catch basins, ditches, or ponds. 
• Consider asking firework suppliers and manufacturers for fireworks with low or no perchlorate.

Do Not:

• Leave spent firework shells, starts, paper, carboard or fuses on sidewalks, roads, or allow to enter stormwater catch basins, ditches, or ponds.
• Dump water used to soak fireworks into stormwater catch basins, ditches, or ponds. 

The Snohomish County Fire Marshall has a bulletin on where it is legal and illegal to discharge fireworks and tips to keep safe.

If you have questions or would like to report a water pollution concern, please call the Water Quality Complaint Hotline at 425-388-6481 or use the on-line water pollution reporting system.