From Guest Blogger Brooke Chaplan: How to Recycle Your Home’s Waste Water for a Clean Water Table

Whether you are connected to a municipal water supply or you have a well, it is important to be responsible with water usage. Proper recycling of your home’s waste water helps to promote a clean water table. Consider these four ways that you can help to keep contaminants out of the water table and soil.

Avoid Dumping Hazardous Products

Many people dump hazardous products such as chemical drain cleaners, bleach, paint thinners and other caustic agents down the toilet or into the drain. These chemicals can get into the water system and contaminate the water table. If you need to dispose of any of these materials, contact the local landfill authority. They may have a hazardous waste drop-off event so that you can responsibly dispose of the waste.

Dispose of Medication Properly

Another common type of contaminant in the water table is medication. People may dump unused or expired medications down the drain in order to prevent children or pets from getting into them. These products can leach into the water table, exposing you and others to trace amounts of the medications. Even a tiny amount of hormone medications, antibiotics or steroids could be dangerous. Avoid dumping any medications into the toilet or drain. Take them to the pharmacy or police station for safe disposal.

Maintain Your Septic Tank

If you have a septic tank, proper maintenance is essential to the proper processing of waste water. Be sure to have your high-performing EDO mound septic tank drained according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Some companies, like Econocycle, know that you should choose septic-friendly products, including soaps, shampoos, and dish detergent. Properly care for the leach field so the water table remains clean.

Manage Water Usage

If you are used to running multiple loads of laundry in a row, consider spreading them out over the course of a day. Too much waste water entering your sewer line or septic system could overwhelm it. Give the system time between running the dishwasher, washing laundry, and taking a shower. Avoid using a lot of water in a short amount of time.

The Earth has a limited supply of fresh water. Each of these four tips is easy to do and does not require much of your time, energy or money. You can make these lifestyle changes and be more conscious of the products you use and how much waste water you generate. By responsibly recycling your home’s waste water, you can help to protect this critical natural resource for future generations.