If you need to clean up after a meal or a project, you might just dump any leftover liquids down the drain. However, pouring certain materials down your drain can certainly damage your plumbing system and the environment. Harmful chemicals, in particular, can wreak havoc on your pipes and wastewater treatment, causing costly repairs for you and a whole bunch of headaches for the water treatment facility. So, how does wastewater treatment work, and what can you do to avoid adding harmful chemicals to the wastewater in your municipal? Let’s dive into these questions and check out the top 5 things you should never pour down the drain.
Why Care About Wastewater?
Wastewater is any water that has been used and is now contaminated. This can include water from your kitchen sink, bathroom sink, washing machine, and even the water that goes down the drain when you shower. Wastewater treatment is all about cleaning this water so that it can be reused or returned to the environment.
Wastewater treatment is essential because it protects our drinking water, keeps our rivers and lakes clean, and protects the environment from harmful pollutants. Pouring harmful substances down the drain just adds to pollution and destruction of our water resources.
5 Things You Should Never Pour Down the Drain
The top 5 things you should never pour down your drain are:
- Grease and cooking oil. Grease and cooking oil may become hard in your pipes, generating clogs that block water flow. They can also pile up inside your pipes, eventually leading to leaks and an uneasy property manager. The best means to dispose of grease and cooking oil is to place it into a heat-resistant container and toss it in compost pile.
- Paint. Paint can contain harmful chemicals that cause problems with the water and the environment. It can also clog your pipes, which could mean expensive fixes. If you have leftover paint, just hit up your local waste management office to see how to dispose of it appropriately.
- Household cleaners. Household cleaners usually have some pretty tough chemicals that can damage your plumbing system and the environment. When you’re finished with a household cleaner, just dump any leftover liquid into a container and throw it in the trash.
- Medication. Medication can pollute the water and harm aquatic life. If it’s not disposed of correspondingly, it can also occur in our drinking water. The best technique to throw out medication is to deliver it to a local pharmacy for disposal.
- Car fluids. Car fluids can have some nasty chemicals that poison the water and the atmosphere. They can also damage your car if they leak into the engine or other components of the vehicle. The most efficient way to dispose of car fluids is to drop them to a local garage or auto parts store for disposal.
Adhering to these simple tricks can help protect your plumbing system and the environment. Remember, if you’re unsure about something, it’s better to just toss it!
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