Good Practices
When a house or business connects to the wastewater treatment system, the individual becomes an owner. Proper care of an asset extends the life.
Think of the treatment plant as a large biological system. It's the life cycle of microscopic organisms that create the treatment process. They consume and breakdown organic matter and in turn as they die become food for new organisms. During this continual process heavy metals are absorbed and ammonia is stripped away. Eventually these organisms become digested matter that is taken away for beneficial use. The effluent is discharged to the river and becomes part of another process downstream. Of course it's a little more complicated than that but you get the idea. A wastewater plant is essentially an ecological system. Think of it as a fish tank that grows microscopic bugs instead of fish.
Here's a partial list of Good Practices. If you have questions call our plant operators for advice. They're very knowledgeable.
- Toilet paper is designed for sanitary sewer disposal, but tissues aren't. Throw tissues in your waste basket.
- Cooking grease should be disposed of in your trash. Grease creates many problems in the treatment process.
- Eggs shells and coffee grounds go in your trash or in your compost.
- Don't dispose harmful chemicals or pharmaceuticals through your sewer.
- Plastic applicators, syringes etc go in your waste basket.
- Cleaning paint brushes is OK (water based paint), but pouring paint down the drain is another matter.
- Automotive products are not treatable in wastewater plants.
Take care of your service line - it's very important!
- Cooking fats, oils and grease are a primary reason for plugged sewer service lines. Use your kitchen waste basket.
- Rags and towels go in the trash. Not down the sewer.
- A cleanout allows access to your sewer line for cleaning and inspecting. If you don't have one - think about installing one.
- If you do have a clean out, be sure to educate your children that it's not a place to put rocks, dirt and sticks.
- If you have an older line it may need replaced. If not, schedule regular cleaning. Remember there is no good time to have sewer problems.
- Ask cleaning professional what type of equipment they have and what their rates are first.
- Having some work done on your property? CALL FOR LOCATES BEFORE YOU DIG! DIAL 811
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION!