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Why You Should Never Pour These 5 Things Down the Drain

A clean sink featuring a drain and a sleek water spout.Your first inclination could be to dispose of any leftover liquids down the drain if you have to clean up after a meal or a project. Still, pouring certain materials down your drain can deeply damage your plumbing system and the environment. Harmful chemicals, specifically, can wreak havoc on your pipes and wastewater treatment, generating costly repairs for you and undetected issues for the water treatment facility. So how does wastewater treatment operate, and what can you do to avoid adding harmful chemicals to the wastewater in your local area? Let’s analyze these problems 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 can include water from your kitchen sink, bathroom sink, washing machine, and even the water that goes down the drain during a shower. Wastewater treatment is the act of cleaning this water so that it can be reused or returned to the environment.

Wastewater treatment is vital since it protects our drinking water, maintains the pristine condition of our rivers and lakes, and protects the environment from harmful pollutants. Pouring harmful substances down the drain immediately causes contamination and compromises our water resources.

5 Things You Should Never Pour Down the Drain

The top 5 things you should never pour down your drain are:

  1. Grease and cooking oil. Grease and cooking oil may coagulate in your pipes and cause clogs that block water flow. They can also gather inside your pipes, eventually leading to leaks and a frustrated property manager. The perfect way to dispose of grease and cooking oil is to place it in a heat-resistant container and toss it in the trash.
  2. Paint. Paint can contain harmful chemicals that infest the water and the atmosphere. It can also clog your pipes, demanding pricey fixes. If you have leftover paint, contact your local waste management office for details on how to dispose of it appropriately.
  3. Household cleaners. Household cleaners often contain toxic substances that can damage your plumbing system and the environment. After using a household cleaner, empty any leftover liquid into a container and toss it in the garbage.
  4. Medication. Medication can pollute the water and harm aquatic life. If it’s not disposed of safely, it can also end up in our drinking water. A recommended method to discard medication is to bring it to a local pharmacy for disposal.
  5. Car fluids. Car fluids can contain dangerous substances that poison the water and the environment. They can also damage your car if they escape into the engine or other components of the vehicle. The greatest way to dispose of car fluids is to bring them to a local garage or auto parts store for disposal.

Implementing these basic tips can help protect your plumbing system and the environment. Take note that always toss it out when in doubt!

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