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Why You Should Never Pour These 5 Things Down the Drain

Close-Up Shot of a Batesville Sink DrainYour initial thought may be to simply pour any leftover liquids down the drain if you need to clean up after a meal or a project. However, pouring some things down the drain can seriously harm both the environment and your plumbing. Particularly dangerous chemicals can inflict damage on your pipes and efficient wastewater treatment, charging you money in repairs and causing endless issues for the Batesville water treatment plant. 

What steps can you take to prevent adding harmful chemicals to wastewater in your community and how does wastewater treatment function? 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? 

Wastewater is any used water that has become contaminated. This includes water from the kitchen sink, bathroom sink, washing machine, and water that goes into the drain when you take a bath. Wastewater treatment is the cleansing of this water to have it reused or returned to the environment. 

The protection of our drinking water, maintenance of the cleanliness of our rivers and lakes, and defense against harmful pollutants are all reasons why wastewater treatment is crucial. When you dump toxic chemicals down the drain, you contribute directly to pollution and the reduction of our water resources. 

5 Things You Should Never Pour Down the Drain 

The top 5 substances that must never be poured down a drain are: 

  1. Grease and cooking oil. Cooking oil and grease can solidify in your pipes and cause clogs that prevent water from flowing. They can also accumulate inside your pipes, eventually causing leaks and an annoyed Batesville property manager. Pouring grease and cooking oil into a heat-resistant container and throwing it in the trash is the best way to get rid of it. 
  2. Paint. Paint can contain toxic substances that pollute the water and the environment. Additionally, it can clog your pipes, costing you money in repairs. For information on how to properly dispose of leftover paint, get in touch with your neighborhood waste management office. 
  3. Household cleaners. Household cleaners frequently contain harsh chemicals that are hazardous to the environment and your plumbing system. 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. If it’s not disposed of correctly, it might also end up in our drinking water. The best option for disposing of medications is to bring them to a local pharmacy. 
  5. Car fluids. Car fluids may contain dangerous chemicals that contaminate the environment and the water supply. If they leak into the engine or other components of your car, they can also cause harm to those components. The best place to get rid of car fluids is your neighborhood garage or auto parts store. 

By adhering to these easy guidelines, you can preserve your plumbing system and the environment. Always remember: If in doubt, throw it out! 

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