Household Wastes that Affect Water Quality

Often we do not think about the things we discard in our garbage, but what we throw away and how we do it can affect the quality of natural waters as much as what industry does. Household wastes that are incinerated can contribute to air pollution, but because the bulk of our household waste goes to landfills, we too can be responsible for causing pollution of groundwater as well as of rivers, streams, and lakes. Table 11.8 lists some common household products and the kinds of chemicals they contain. Because we are the consumers of industrial products, we can put the very same chemicals into the water as industry can. Although the individual amounts of harmful chemicals used in a household are less than those used in a lai e industry, the total amounts disposed of daily by all households can be very large, even for a medium-sized city. 

Households have a greater problem disposing of hazardous wastes than industry does. Even where there is an active recycling project for glass, paper, metals, and plastics, there is often no pickup of chemicals that should be separated from the ordinary trash destined for the landfill. If these chemicals 

Municipal hazardous waste day. On a designated day, citizens bring their hazardous waste to a site where trained crews sort the materials for disposal. Every community should have such days or have access to a permanent hazardous waste disposal facility. 

Aerosol cans (empty) Solvents, propellants Trash 

Drain Disposal down the kitchen or bathroom drain with plenty of water.  

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Household Wastes That Affect Water Quality... 

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