Trash It, Don't Flush It -
Part Two
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Last month, we talked about how drains (toilets, sinks, etc.) are not trash cans, and that the wastewater system can’t handle garbage including floss, wipes and hygiene products. These items should instead be disposed of in your curbside trash or dumpster.
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This month we'll focus on chemicals, which can harm the treatment plant and environment. Many common household products contain hazardous ingredients that can be dangerous to children, pets, and others. They could also cause problems in your wastewater line if poured down the drain or toilet.
Look at labels for words like caution, danger, flammable, combustible, corrosive, caustic, warning, toxic, and poison. Do not dump any of the following down the drain:
- motor oil and auto fluids
- pesticides, fertilizers and lawn care products
- paint, varnish, paint remover
- photographic chemicals
Note: Medications (prescription and over-the-counter) should not go down the drain either. Bring them to any of these nearby locations for safe, convenient disposal:
- Springfield Justice Center, 230 4th St,Springfield, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday
- Lane County Sheriff’s Office, 125 E. 8th St, Eugene, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday
- Eugene Police Department, 300 Country Club Road, Eugene, open 24 hours
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Thank You to Our Operators
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On average, our treatment plant receives about 1.5 million gallons of wastewater
every hour
. Water from showers, toilets and dish washing, out of homes, restaurants and hospitals - at all times of day. Basically, what we're saying is, the water never stops so neither does our staff! They are on site 24 hours a day, every single day of the year, making sure the process is running smoothly at all times.
Please join us in thanking our hard-working staff for the crucial but often unseen
job they do!!
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Winter Billing Cycle is Here
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If you study your December bill from
Eugene Water & Electric Board
or
Springfield Utility Board
, you may notice a change in the wastewater portion. That’s because wastewater service charges include a flow-based fee, determined by your actual water usage during the winter weather months (December through April), plus a standard base charge. The flow-based fee measures water that goes down the drain and needs to be cleaned.
During the other months of the year (May through November), the wastewater portion of your bill is based on the average of your winter water usage or actual usage, whichever is less – to account for outdoor water use including irrigation, which isn’t treated as wastewater. If you find there is a significant increase on the wastewater portion of your December bill (that doesn’t seem to match with an increase in your household’s or business’ water usage), it might indicate a potential water leak.
Learn how to check for a water leak
and
learn more about the wastewater service portion of your utility bill
.
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Happy Holidays!
From all of us at the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission, we hope you have a wonderful holiday. We look forward to meeting your wastewater needs now and throughout the New Year.
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