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Residents press Anaheim to investigate Disneyland fireworks as possible source of perchlorate in drinking water
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Summary
Multiple residents urged the City Council to investigate whether nightly Disneyland fireworks contribute to perchlorate and heavy‑metal contamination in Anaheim's groundwater and settled dust; speakers asked for a cross‑agency study involving EPA, AQMD and state water boards and cited Well 39's perchlorate detection.
Residents pressed the Anaheim City Council on April 7 to investigate whether decades of nightly fireworks displays tied to Disneyland have contributed to perchlorate and heavy-metal contamination that appears in city testing.
Tom Fielder, a long‑time Anaheim resident, listed chemical compounds used in fireworks and said they generate fine particulate matter and metals that can deposit on surfaces and potentially enter groundwater recharge: “These particles settle out of the air over time onto homes, vehicles, soil, vegetation, streets, and water sources,” he said, linking the fallout pathway to long‑term exposure concerns.
Other speakers documented localized, recurring fallout: Mark Herbert noted decades of fireworks over the same footprint and estimated thousands of nights of displays; community members said residents have observed soot and ash on cars and patios, and that Disneyland historically paid for some local cleanups.
Why it matters: Several speakers pointed to the presence of perchlorate in Well 39 and urged city officials to either demonstrate that fireworks are not a contributing source or to open a formal cross‑agency investigation involving the EPA, the Air Quality Management District, state water boards and independent consultants. Commenters framed the issue as public health and environmental justice.
City response and next steps: Speakers asked the council to agendize a cross‑agency investigation and public timeline; staff did not announce an immediate new study at the meeting. Council did not vote to open an investigation during the session, though multiple members acknowledged the concerns and requested staff follow‑up.
What residents asked for: public testing results, release of any existing testing and an explanation of whether the city has ruled fireworks out as a source of perchlorate. Speakers repeatedly called for transparent public reporting and for the city to demonstrate, with data, that residents’ drinking water is safe.
