If you need to clean up after a meal or a project, your primary reaction may be to flush any leftover liquids down the drain. Yet, pouring certain materials down your drain can really damage your plumbing system and the environment. Harmful chemicals, in particular, can wreak havoc on your pipes and wastewater treatment, leading to costly repairs for you and several complications for the water treatment facility. So, what is the process of wastewater treatment, and what can you do to avoid adding harmful chemicals to the wastewater in your locality? Let’s examine those queries and list 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 includes water from your kitchen sink, bathroom sink, washing machine, and even the water that goes down the drain when you shower. Wastewater treatment is a process of cleaning this water so that it can be reused or returned to the environment.
Wastewater treatment is essential as it protects our drinking water, keeps our rivers and lakes clean, and protects the environment from harmful pollutants. When you put harmful substances down the drain, you directly add to the pollution and deterioration 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 can congeal in your pipes, resulting in clogs that block water flow. They can also develop inside your pipes, in due course leading to leaks and a disgruntled property manager. The most efficient way to dispose of grease and cooking oil is to discard it into a heat-resistant container and discard it in the trash.
- Paint. Paint can contain harmful chemicals that negatively impact the water and the natural resources. It can also clog your pipes, resulting in expensive repairs. If you have leftover paint, call your local waste management office to understand how to dispose of it safely.
- Household cleaners. Household cleaners often include dangerous substances that can damage your plumbing system and the ecosystem. When you’ve finished using a household cleaner, pour any leftover liquid into a container and toss it in the trash.
- Medication. Medication can pollute the water and harm aquatic life. If it’s not properly disposed of, it can pollute our drinking water. The most effective method for disposing of medications is to send them to a local pharmacy for disposal.
- Car fluids. Car fluids can have toxic materials that poison the water and the environment. They can also damage your car if they enter into the engine or other parts of the vehicle. The excellent way to dispose of car fluids is to bring them to a local garage or auto parts store for disposal.
Taking these basic instructions can help protect your plumbing system and the environment. Remember that when you are in hesitation, always dump it out!
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