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Why You Should Never Pour These 5 Things Down the Drain

Close-Up Shot of a Winooski Sink DrainWhenever you need to start cleaning up after a meal or a project, your initial reaction may be to pour any remaining liquids down the drain. However, pouring certain substances down the drain can cause severe damage to your plumbing and the environment. Potentially toxic chemicals can cause havoc on your pipes and efficient wastewater treatment, necessitating expensive repairs on your part and posing a host of issues for the Homestead water treatment plant. 

How does wastewater treatment function, and what can be done to prevent the addition of harsh substances to the wastewater in your community? Let’s discuss these questions and provide a list of the top 5 items you must never pour down the drain. 

Why Care About Wastewater? 

Any water that has been used but is now polluted is regarded as wastewater. This includes water from the kitchen sink, bathroom sink, washing machine, and water that goes into the drain when you take a bath. The process of cleaning wastewater so that it can be repurposed or given back to the environment is known as wastewater treatment. 

Wastewater treatment is crucial because it safeguards our drinking water, maintains the cleanliness of our lakes and rivers, and shields the environment from dangerous pollutants. When you flush dangerous substances down the drain, you contribute greatly to pollution and the depletion of our water resources. 

5 Things You Should Never Pour Down the Drain 

The top 5 things that should never be poured into a drain are: 

  1. Grease and cooking oil. Cooking oil and grease can solidify in your pipes and lead to clogs that stop the flow of water. They may also pile up inside your pipes, which may eventually result in leaks and a frustrated Homestead property manager. Pouring grease and cooking oil into a heat-resistant container and disposing of it in the trash is the most effective method of disposal. 
  2. Paint. Paint may include hazardous substances that contaminate water and the environment. Additionally, it can clog your pipes, costing you money in repairs. You can find out how to properly dispose of leftover paint by contacting your neighborhood waste management office. 
  3. Household cleaners. Household cleaners typically consist of strong chemicals that can wreak havoc on your plumbing and the environment. Any liquid that is left over after using a household cleaner should be poured into a container and thrown in the trash. 
  4. Medication. Aquatic life may be harmed by medication’s effects on the environment. In addition, if it is not properly disposed of, it may end up in our drinking water. The best way to dispose of medication is to bring it to a nearby pharmacy. 
  5. Car fluids. The environment and waterways can be contaminated by the toxic chemicals found in some car fluids. They can also cause damage to your vehicle if they seep into the engine or other vehicle components. By taking them to a nearby garage or auto parts store for disposal, car fluids can be disposed of in the best possible way. 

These simple and direct guidelines can assist in preserving the environment and your plumbing system. Remember that when in doubt, always discard! 

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