Citizens Energy: Black muck shown in video flowing into channel near Fall Creek is harmless
Ben Easley, a spokesman with Citizens, allayed any concerns over the discharge by identifying it in an email to IndyStar.
The video was first posted on the Naptown Daily Facebook site.
'The black substance in the video is powdered activated carbon, which is added as part of the water treatment process to help address taste and odor challenges," Easley wrote. 'The activated carbon absorbs potential impurities, like algae-related taste and odor compounds.'
Activated carbon is common in drinking water treatment and used in a variety of household items such as home water filters and fish tanks, Easley wrote.
The water channel the carbon is pouring into flows back into the treatment plant near Fall Creek. The carbon will be removed from the water along with any impurities.
'It's only used when conditions in Fall Creek require it and poses no health or environmental concerns,' Easley wrote.
A sign at the location alerts by passers to the process, but Easley wrote the wind might have flipped it around so it's not visible. He said the sign will be reset.
IndyStar's environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.
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