Know where to pour

  • Published
  • By Chris Krettecos
  • 60th Civil Engineer Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Everyone knows to not pour used motor oil and household chemicals into storm drains that lead to the Suisun Marsh and eventually the Pacific Ocean, because these chemicals can cause a significant amount of ecological damage. However, did you know that these liquids should also not be flushed down the toilet or poured down the drain?

Everything that enters the base sanitary sewer system ends up at the wastewater treatment plant of the Fairfield-Suisun Sewer District. Here, physical and biological processes convert the sewage and organic residue into inert byproducts. The treated water is discharged into Boynton Slough.

However, this treatment plant cannot remove all contaminants from wastewater, which again poses a potential environmental problem. To protect the treatment plant and the environment, the Fairfield-Suisun Sewer District issues regulations that limit the type and amount of chemicals in the wastewater that comes from Travis. If base limits are exceeded, the district may impose penalties.

Environmental protection is now a part of everyday life. We must do our part to comply with local environmental regulations and keep contaminants from going down our drains. Below are four steps to help achieve this requirement.

Household chemicals can disrupt or even destroy the microbes used by the treatment plant to treat organic matter. Chemicals such as polishes, cleaners, disinfectants and drain openers should be used sparingly. Unwanted household products and waste should be collected and taken to a household hazardous waste collection site. The closest collection site to the base is the Solano Garbage Company at 2901 Industrial Court in Fairfield. The phone number is 439-2800.

Garden and landscape chemicals are usually more toxic than chemicals for indoor use and must never be poured down the drain. Fungicides, pesticides and herbicides, pool chemicals and poisons should be mixed and applied sparingly. Use all you mix. Collect used or unwanted chemicals in appropriate containers and take them to a household hazardous waste collection site.

Garage and workshop liquids such as paint, paint strippers or thinners, automobile antifreeze and oil and photography chemicals should never be discarded down the drain. This includes water from etching or plating operations and cooling water from welding, soldering or torch-cutting operations because they contain heavy metals. Just like the materials above, take these liquids and wastewater to a hazardous waste collection site.

Finally, food wastes contain solids, oils and grease that clog pipes and make up a large portion of unnecessary waste that the treatment plant must remove. Scrape food particles off plates before washing them, and use a screen over the sink drain to catch additional solids. Throw leftover food in the garbage, not down the garbage disposal.

For more information on proper waste disposal, check out the Household Hazardous Waste section of the Solano Recycling Guide in the SBC Yellow Pages, or go to www.solanorecycles.com.