Domestic Waste: Cleaning Waterways, Protecting Our Future

Water pollution is the contamination of water sources by harmful substances, including chemicals, waste, plastic, and other pollutants. It poses a significant threat to human health and aquatic ecosystems, with nearly half of the world's rivers and streams and over one-third of lakes being polluted and unfit for human use. Domestic wastewater, which contains a range of pollutants such as nutrients, oils, grease, detergents, and household chemicals, is a major contributor to this issue. Inadequate treatment of domestic wastewater increases biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) in water, altering its pH, hardness, and pathogen load, and ultimately endangering aquatic life and human health. To address water pollution due to domestic waste, proper waste management practices, such as reducing the use of pesticides and herbicides, disposing of fats and oils separately, and minimizing the use of household chemicals, are essential.

How to fix water pollution due to domestic waste

Reduce the use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers

Reducing the use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers can significantly decrease water pollution from domestic waste. Here are some ways to achieve this:

Pesticides

When it comes to pesticides, it is essential to recognize the potential health risks associated with their use. While pesticides have contributed to increasing food production and reducing diseases, overexposure to these chemicals can be harmful, especially for children and individuals with asthma or other chronic illnesses. To minimize the use of pesticides, consider the following:

• Opt for natural and non-toxic pest control methods for your home and garden.
• Purchase organic, in-season produce from local markets to ensure pesticide-free food. Organic produce can be identified by a five-digit sticker starting with "9".
• If you must use pesticides, carefully follow the directions on the product label to ensure safe handling and application.

Herbicides

When using herbicides to control weeds, it is important to take an integrated pest management approach. This involves combining cultural, biological, mechanical, genetic, and chemical control methods. Here are some specific tips:

• Alternate herbicides with different active ingredients to prevent the emergence of resistant weeds.
• Correctly identify the weeds you are targeting and select the appropriate chemical control method. For example, broad-spectrum herbicides target a wide range of plants, while narrow-spectrum herbicides are selective.
• When tank mixing herbicides, ensure compatibility by checking the chemical and physical properties of the products and adding them in the right order.

Fertilizers

Fertilizers, particularly nitrogen-based ones, can have detrimental environmental impacts when overapplied. Excess nitrogen runs off into rivers and lakes, disrupting ecosystems and causing biodiversity loss. To reduce fertilizer use:

• Governments can adjust subsidies and pricing to discourage overuse and incentivize farmers to adopt environmentally friendly practices.
• Encourage efficient nitrogen use by focusing on nitrogen efficiency rather than solely on fertilizer use.
• In your garden, consider composting vegetable scraps to create natural fertilizer, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.

Properly dispose of fats, oils, and grease

Water pollution is caused by the release of harmful substances, often chemicals or microorganisms, into a body of water, rendering it toxic and unsafe for human use. Domestic waste is a significant contributor to water pollution, with sewage being a primary source of disease-causing microorganisms.

Fats, oils, and grease (FOG) are common domestic waste products that can cause plumbing issues and sewage problems if not disposed of properly. Here are some ways to properly dispose of FOG:

• Collect and Dispose of FOG in Solid Waste: Keep a "fat jar" or container under the sink to collect fat, oil, and grease. Once the container is full, discard it with your solid waste. This method ensures that FOG does not enter the plumbing system and cause blockages or other issues.
• Absorbent Waste Method: Mix FOG with absorbent waste, such as cat litter, paper towels, or sawdust. This method turns the FOG into a solid mass that can be disposed of in the trash.
• Cool and Dispose: Pour hot grease into a heat-safe container, such as a metal bowl or pan lined with foil. Allow it to cool and solidify, then dispose of it in the trash. This method is useful for larger quantities of grease, such as when cooking bacon.
• Strain and Recycle: If you have a large quantity of used cooking oil, you can strain it through a fine mesh strainer or coffee filter to remove food particles. Some waste disposal companies and restaurants participate in oil recycling programs, where they collect used oil to create biofuels. Check with your local waste management company or recycling center for specific guidelines and drop-off locations.
• Composting: Small amounts of vegetable oil can be sprinkled into a compost bin. However, be cautious not to overload the compost with oil, as it can "clog" the soil and affect its natural absorption capabilities. Animal fats are not recommended for composting due to their rancid smell, which can attract animals.

By properly disposing of fats, oils, and grease, you can help reduce the impact of domestic waste on water pollution and keep your plumbing systems running smoothly.

Avoid flushing medicines and drugs

Water pollution is the release of substances such as chemicals or microorganisms into bodies of water, degrading water quality and rendering it toxic and unsafe for humans and the environment. Domestic sewage is a significant contributor to water pollution, and it is important to avoid flushing medicines and drugs down the toilet as wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove pharmaceuticals. These medications can affect the environment and endanger public health, promoting antibiotic resistance and potentially causing harm to aquatic life.

To avoid flushing medicines and drugs, individuals should first seek take-back options. This can include dropping off unused or expired medications at a drug take-back location or utilizing pre-paid drug mail-back envelopes. These methods ensure that pharmaceuticals are disposed of properly and do not enter the wastewater system. Some organizations, such as the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, offer National Take Back Initiatives where they collect unused medications for safe incineration. Local law enforcement agencies may also have similar programs, such as the County Sheriff's RX Drug Drop Box Program.

It is important to note that there is a Flush List provided by the FDA for select medicines that can be flushed when a take-back option is not readily available. These medicines are typically those that pose a risk of misuse or abuse and can result in serious consequences, including death, if ingested accidentally. However, the FDA also recognizes the potential impact of flushing these medicines on the environment and drinking water supplies. As a result, they conduct risk assessments to evaluate the environmental and human health risks associated with flushing specific active ingredients.

Individuals should also be mindful of properly disposing of medications within their homes. Most medicines, tissues, wrappers, and other paper goods should be discarded in a wastebasket rather than flushed down the toilet. By following these guidelines, we can help reduce the impact of domestic waste on water pollution and protect our environment and public health.

Treat wastewater adequately

Treating wastewater adequately is essential to reducing water pollution caused by domestic waste. Domestic sewage is a primary source of pathogens (disease-causing microorganisms) and putrescible organic matter, which can contaminate water sources and pose risks to human health and aquatic ecosystems.

Wastewater treatment involves the extraction of pollutants, the removal of coarse particles, and the elimination of toxicants. This process kills pathogens, reduces the presence of organic matter, and produces bio-methane and fresh manure for agricultural production. By treating wastewater, we can minimize water waste, reduce pressure on natural water sources, and create opportunities for clean energy and sustainable development.

In homes, wastewater from various sources, such as sinks, showers, and washing machines, is typically channelled through collection pipes to sewage treatment plants. However, it is important to note that not all wastewater is treated properly. According to UN-Water, 42% of household wastewater is inadequately treated, damaging ecosystems and human health. This highlights the need to improve wastewater treatment processes and ensure their effectiveness.

To adequately treat wastewater, several methods can be employed:

• Sewage treatment processes: These processes aim to reduce the levels of pathogens and organic matter in wastewater. While they do not eliminate all contaminants, they significantly reduce the risks associated with disease-causing microorganisms and putrescible organic substances.
• Extraction of pollutants: This involves removing harmful substances, such as chemicals, microorganisms, and toxic waste, from wastewater before it is released back into the environment.
• Removal of coarse particles: Wastewater treatment includes separating solid particles from liquid waste, helping to reduce the amount of debris and sludge in the water.
• Elimination of toxicants: Toxic substances, such as heavy metals or poisonous chemicals, must be eliminated from wastewater to ensure it is safe for human and environmental use.

Reduce use of plastics

Plastics are a significant contributor to water pollution, with plastic waste flowing into nature at an unprecedented rate. More than a dump truck load of plastic enters our oceans alone every minute, choking the planet and polluting the air, water, and soil that both people and nature need to survive. Plastic waste is polluting rivers, coastlines, landscapes, and communities, and it is threatening marine life.

The first step towards a solution is learning how to reduce plastic use. The WWF is advocating for global and domestic improvements in infrastructure, as well as holding producers responsible for sourcing non-virgin plastic materials. They are also working to eliminate single-use plastics, shift to sustainable sources for necessary plastics, and improve the collection, reuse, recycling, and composting of all plastic used.

As individuals, we can also contribute by reducing our use of single-use plastics and replacing them with reusable options. This includes bringing your own bags to the store, using a reusable bottle, and carrying your own cutlery, straws, and coffee cups. By making these small changes, you can have a big impact and help keep our planet clean and safe.

Additionally, we can advocate for political action and support organizations like the WWF that are working to address plastic pollution. With collective efforts, we can build a world without plastic pollution in nature.

Frequently asked questions