Things Not to Pour Down Drains

You can pour many substances down your drain, but they don't just disappear and cause you no problems in the future. That water and whatever else you sent into the pipes will be processed and returned to the environment, either in the slow and confined movement in your underground septic system or by chemical treatment at the city wastewater facility. Certain products can block pipes and contaminate water supplies, causing significant public health concerns.

Grease, Oils and Petroleum Products

• Any fatty or oily substance can cling to the inside of pipe walls. Other items, particularly food items and hair, can get caught in the grease and oils and clog the pipes. This can lead to costly repairs and cause sewage backups into basements and foul odors. Additionally, municipal treatment plants have difficulty removing petroleum-based products from wastewater, and those substances can harm fish and wildlife when the water is returned to rivers and streams.

Cleaners and Chemicals

• Generally, any substance considered toxic, corrosive or flammable is not good for water and sewage systems, according to public works officials. Particularly for a septic system, poisons and household hazardous waste may kill bacteria that helps break down sewage and purifies the wastewater. These chemicals also may move through untreated and end up polluting the ground water near your home.

Medications

• For myriad health, environmental and safety reasons, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration strongly advises people to read instructions closely before putting medicines down the drain or in the toilet. The FDA has expressed concerns about unsophisticated treatment systems not being able to capture certain dangerous ingredients, but to date, no unusual levels have been detected in public waterways. Still, environmental damage is possible and warnings have been issued about the serious consequences if young children, in particular, come in contact with medications. Law enforcement agencies often schedule collections for people to bring unused or expired medications for safe destruction.

Mercury, Lead and Solvents

• Exposure to certain elements like mercury has been linked to neurological disorders in children, such as autism. These hazardous items, too, are difficult for treatment systems to remove. Solvents like paint thinners, antifreeze and varnish may contain lead, and some photographic solutions have silver. An old thermometer may have mercury inside. Environmental officials highly recommend contacting city hall to get information about hazardous waste collections in your area for professional disposal; many times, these events are free to the public.