What should not go down the drain?

What Should NOT Go Down the Drain: Protect Your Plumbing and the Environment

Not everything should be flushed or washed down the drain. Your household plumbing is connected to the City’s sewer system, which eventually leads to the Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP). This system is designed for waste like pee, poop, and toilet paper only. When other items enter the drain, they can cause major problems, including clogged pipes and environmental damage.

Items to Never Flush or Pour Down the Drain:

  1. 1. Sanitary Products, Paper Towels, Diapers, Baby Wipes, and Facial Tissues
    These items are made of materials that do not break down and can easily clog pipes. Dispose of these in the trash.
  2. 2. Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG)
    Never pour FOG down the sink or garbage disposal. These substances stick to the inside of sewer pipes and harden over time, causing blockages that may lead to sewage backups and spills. Hot water and detergent only temporarily break down grease. The best practice is to let the grease cool, harden, and then mix it with absorbent materials like paper towels, coffee grounds, or kitty litter before throwing it in the trash.
  3. 3. Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications
    Chemicals in medications can contaminate our water supply, and the RWQCP isn’t equipped to filter out these substances. Proper disposal methods include crushing pills and mixing them with coffee grounds, kitty litter, or dirt. Seal the mixture in a plastic bag and dispose of it in the trash.
  4. 4. Kitty Litter
    Even "flushable" kitty litter can clog your pipes. Additionally, parasites like Toxoplasmosis found in cat waste can harm marine life. Dispose of kitty litter in the trash.
  5. 5. Household Hazardous Materials
    Never pour hazardous materials like motor oil, pesticides, paint, or solvents down the drain. These toxic substances damage the environment. For proper disposal, click here for more information on safe disposal practices.
  6. 6. Food Waste, Coffee Grounds, Eggshells, Hair, and Dental Floss
    These materials can clog pipes and are difficult to remove from the sewer system. Always dispose of food waste and other debris in the trash.

The Impact of Improper Waste Disposal

Disposing of pollutants such as fats, oils, grease, and pharmaceuticals into the sewer system increases treatment costs at the Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP). By reducing these pollutants, we can help lower these costs, benefiting all sewer users in the community.

Public Education Resources:

Proper Grease Disposal

Grease is a major cause of sewer overflows, backups, and environmental harm. Proper disposal can prevent health hazards, home damage, and harm to the environment.

How to dispose of grease properly:

  1. 1. Pour cooled oils and grease into an old container (like a glass jar or can).
  2. 2. Wipe excess grease off cookware with a paper towel.
  3. 3. Place cooled oils, grease, and leftover food into a plastic sealed bag.
  4. 4. Dispose it in your organic recycle bin.

Remember: Never pour grease down the drain.

Proper Pharmaceutical Disposal

Never flush pharmaceuticals down the toilet, as this can harm the environment and contaminate our water supply. The best way to dispose of medications is to follow these simple steps:

  1. 1. Crush the medications to make them undesirable.
  2. 2. Mix the crushed pills with coffee grounds, kitty litter, or dirt.
  3. 3. Seal the mixture in a plastic bag.
  4. 4. Throw the sealed bag away in your household trash.

By properly disposing of medications, you help protect the environment and prevent potential misuse.

Nearest Disposal Site:

The Agua Mansa Transfer Station & Materials Recovery
Location: 1830 Agua Mansa Rd, Riverside, CA 92501.

This landfill is opened on the following hours:

  • Monday–Friday: 7am–6pm
  • Saturday: 7am–4:30pm
  • Sunday: 8am–3pm

The landfill is closed on all US federal holidays. The dumps on the landfill are regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the applicable state laws.

Need Help? Contact Us

If you need more information or assistance with proper disposal practices, feel free to contact us at 951-351-6145. We're here to help!