Water pollution poses a hazard to everyone on the planet. We often think of agricultural pesticides or industrial contaminants as polluting our waterways, but the truth is, your at-home habits play a role, too.
You can do your part to keep Hoosier waterways clean by following these water pollution prevention tips at home.
- Never pour cooking oil, fats, or grease down your drains.
- Do not flush household chemicals or cleaners down the toilet or dump them down the drain to dispose of them, but instead take them to an approved disposal location or local Tox-Away Day event.
- Never dispose of any type of medication down the toilet – medications should be disposed of in their original marked packaging at an approved location.
- Don’t flush unnecessary items down the toilet – it’s not a trash can.
- Limit your use of the garbage disposal. Throwing items in the trash or composting them is the preferred disposal method to keep solids out of the water supply.
- When washing dishes or clothes, use only the minimum amount of bleach or detergent. Switch to phosphate free detergent.
- Use pesticides, insect sprays, fertilizers, and herbicides sparingly and according to manufacturer instructions.
- Never pour chemicals or automotive fluids in the storm sewer or dump them on the ground.
- Never litter. When you see trash around your home, be sure to pick it up and dispose of it properly.
- Prevent runoff from draining into sewers by using porous ground coverings when possible. Gravel, wood, and pavers are preferred to asphalt or concrete.
- If you have a septic system, keep it properly maintained. Have a professional inspect your system to see that the tank is in good shape and all wastewater is draining appropriately.
At Indiana American Water, our commitment is delivering clean, high-quality water to Hoosiers across the state. We’re playing a role in decreasing water pollution through investing in wastewater treatment and infrastructure to remove contaminants and keep them out of your water supply.