What goes down the drain does not simply go away...

Water washed down the drain or flushed down the toilet in Albuquerque and some County areas goes to the Water Authority's water reclamation plant where solids and bacteria are removed. Towns, animals, plants, and farmers use the water that is in the river. Please think about what goes down the drain!

The Southside Water Reclamation plant does a great job, but current technology does not remove everything that is poured down the drain. That is why toxic chemicals and metals such as lead, silver and copper should be handled carefully. That's why your decisions count before you pour! Never pour oil or antifreeze down the drain or in storm sewers! 

For Businesses

The P2 Program was created in 1992 to protect the collection system, the water reclamation plant, and the river from harmful wastes. A goal of the P2 program is to educate the public about wastes that are harmful to the treatment plant and the river. The P2 Program can help you with ideas and changes that prevent harmful wastes from going down the drain. Another goal is to help businesses find ways to reduce waste through simple changes in housekeeping, maintenance, employee training, and inventory control. Other improvements include modifying equipment and production practices. 

Businesses find that reducing waste can save money on waste treatment and disposal. Reduced waste can also lead to improved products and safety for workers. Even if your business produces a small amount of waste, collectively, businesses can make a difference.

Household Chemicals

Homeowners may not realize that many common household chemicals contain toxic substances. When poured or dumped into drains they create problems for the Southside Water Reclamation plant. Together the small amounts of household hazardous waste that homeowners pour down the drain can harm the water reclamation plant and the Rio Grande.

Wastes like acetone, which are highly flammable, are dangerous to pour down the drain. Less obvious are wastes like paints that may contain solvents or metals like mercury, chromium and lead. Organic solvents are found in enamel and primer paints, stains and varnishes. When painting try to use latex or water based paints. Pesticides are a household waste that is highly toxic. Used motor oil and antifreeze contain heavy metals such as lead.

Hobbyists use a variety of chemicals that can cause problems for the water reclamation plant. Amateur photographers should be aware that photographic fixer usually contains large amounts of silver. Amateur photographers should contain their fixer and dispose of it at the City of Albuquerque's Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center instead of pouring it down the drain.

Homeowners may be wondering how they can reduce household hazardous wastes. Here are a few tips that homeowners should follow if they must dispose of their household hazardous waste:

• Keep products in original containers
• Buy only the amount of a product that you need
• Share unused products with friends, neighbors, or local groups
• Never burn or bury hazardous waste; this can cause water and air pollution
• Never pour hazardous waste down street drains or storm sewers, or dump along roadside; this can cause water pollution
• Do not use hazardous waste containers for food.

In addition the City of Albuquerque's Environmental Health Department has set up a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center through Advanced Chemical Transport (ACT). The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center is located at 6137 Edith Boulevard NE. Homeowners can call the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center at 349-5220 for days and time of operation. The Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center (http://www.cabq.gov/environmentalhealth/household-hazardous-waste/) cannot accept:

• Explosives (ammunition)
• Compressed gasses
• Radioactive wastes
• Biomedical wastes
• Business generated wastes
• Non-hazardous wastes
• Waste Oil (recycle locally - see pamphlet Used Oil Recycling for locations)
• Car Batteries (recycle locally)

If homeowners are unsure if they have a hazardous waste, or how to dispose of their hazardous waste they may call the Environmental Services Division at 768-2600. Two other useful numbers are the City of Albuquerque's Office of Recycling at 761-8100 and the Poison Information Center at 272-2222. Remember, how you dispose of your household hazardous waste affects treatment costs, the environment, and may affect you as a taxpayer and homeowner.