Your first instinct might be to just pour any leftover liquids down the drain when you need to clean up after a meal or a project. But pouring specific substances down your drain can seriously harm both the environment and your plumbing system. Hazardous substances can cause problems with your pipes and wastewater treatment, resulting in costly repair work for you and insurmountable issues for the Anacortes water treatment facility.
How does a wastewater treatment operate, and what can you do to prevent adding toxic substances to your community’s wastewater? Here are the top 5 things you must never pour down the drain as we examine these questions.
Why Care About Wastewater?
Used and now contaminated water is called wastewater. This includes the water that drains from your washing machine, bathroom sink, kitchen sink, and even the sink where you take a shower. Cleaning this water through a process known as wastewater treatment makes it possible to reuse it or release it back into the environment.
Wastewater treatment is crucial because it preserves our drinking water, sustains the cleanliness of our lakes and rivers, and safeguards the environment from harmful pollutants. You instantly contribute to pollution and the deterioration of our water supplies when you pour dangerous substances down the drain.
5 Things You Should Never Pour Down the Drain
The top 5 items you must never pour down your drain are as follows:
- Grease and cooking oil. Your pipes may become clogged with solidified grease and cooking oil, stopping the flow of water. Additionally, they can accumulate inside your pipes, eventually causing leaks and a disgruntled Anacortes property manager. The ideal method for disposing of grease and cooking oil is to pour it directly into a heat-resistant container and then throw it away.
- Paint. Hazardous chemicals in paint have been shown to contaminate water and the environment. Your pipes might become clogged, which would require expensive repairs. For information on how to properly dispose of leftover paint, get in touch with your neighborhood waste management office.
- Household cleaners. The harsh chemicals in household cleaners can harm the environment and your plumbing system. When you are done using a household cleaner, pour any remaining liquid into a container and dispose of it.
- Medication. Medication can endanger aquatic life and cause water pollution. If improperly discarded, it can also contaminate our drinking water. The best option for disposing of medications is to bring them to a local pharmacy.
- Car fluids. Car fluids may contain dangerous chemicals that contaminate the environment and the water supply. If they seep into the engine or other aspects of your car, they could also cause harm. The best place to dispose of auto fluids is at a nearby garage or an auto parts retailer.
The environment and your plumbing system can both be safeguarded by using these straightforward tips. Remember, whenever in doubt, throw it out!
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