Public Education
Storm Drain System | Storm Water Pollution | Household Hazardous Waste | Recycling | Water Conservation | Construction | Industry
Storm Drain System
Within the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area, there are two systems of drainage. The Sanitary Sewer (Wastewater System) and the Storm Drain System.
The Sanitary Sewer takes household wastewater (such as water from sinks, toilets, washers, etc.) and carries it through a home's plumbing and into an underground sewer pipe. That water then travels to a formal wastewater treatment plant where the water is cleaned to regulated standards.
Rainwater that falls on our communities travels via the storm drain system which may include gutters, catch basins, storm pipes, retention basins, channels, washes, etc. These systems flow to our local parks, basins and waterways without receiving any formal treatment.
Storm Water Pollution
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Pollutants such as trash, sediment, motor oil, fertilizers, pesticides, etc. are washed off of streets, parking lots, and lawns into the storm sewer system. From there these pollutants can make their way into local waterways such as community lakes, parks, basins and rivers.
Automotive Fluids and Waste | Pesticides, Herbicides and Fertilizers | Paint and Solvents | Solid Waste and Litter
Household Hazardous Waste
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is a simply common everyday product that people use in and around their homes including cleaners, paints, automotive products, medicines, beauty products, pool chemicals, pesticides/herbicides/fertilizers and lighter fluids/fuels. The chemicals found in these products can be quite hazardous and therefore require proper disposal when necessary. Throwing HHW in the trash, pouring it down the drain, or dumping it on the ground is not only dangerous and irresponsible; it is often illegal.
There are better ways to dispose of HHW. In fact, as simple as it may seem, the trick to managing HHW is to avoid generating it in the first place. Here are some tips:
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Use it up – Many household products have a long shelf life and may work well years after they were purchased.
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Give it away – Except for medicines and pesticides, friends, neighbors or community organizations may be able to use the products you no longer need.
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Recycle it – Many hazardous materials can be broken down and used to make new products. For example, some automotive stores will accept used automotive oil, batteries and tires.
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Follow label instructions – Some products can safely be put out with the trash.
- For those products that do need to be disposed, you may select from the drop down menu below to get assistance and/or direction from the community in which you live.
Recycling
Reducing your waste by recycling and reusing materials is beneficial to our entire community. Exercising good practices creates a healthy environment, keeps trash rates down and prolongs the life of our local landfills. If you are not sure what to recycle, then call your community. Better to check than to not recycle at all. The items listed below can be recycled:
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Aluminum beverage cans
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Steel tin cans (vegetable, fruit, soup-type cans)
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Newspaper, printing paper, colored paper, paper sacks
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Magazines, newsletters (NO shredded paper)
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Cardboard boxes (broken down and flat)
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Plastic bottles and containers (food, beverage, condiment, shampoo and detergent-type – showing #1 through #6 on the bottom or side of the bottle or container)
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Glass food and beverage jars and bottles (clear, green and brown)
Remember - Recyclables should be clean and dry. Safety is the reason why. Remove the caps, lids and rings because they can't be recycled. For recycle day and other information please contact your community.
Water Conservation
Although the majority of the Earth is covered with water, only 3 percent is fresh water. Of that 3 percent, less than 1 percent is available for human consumption; the rest is frozen in glaciers and polar ice caps. Water is the most valuable resource in the world. A person can live a few weeks without food, but for only a few days without water.
The Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area receives an average of seven inches of rainfall each year. Over the past nine years, Arizona has experienced below average precipitation. With booming populations, now more than ever, it is important to conserve. Sound water use practices are simple and can easily be incorporated into any lifestyle. Using less water now means more flexibility in times of water shortage. Please do your part to conserve water for our future.
For more information, please contact your community.
Construction
http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/water/permits/stormwater.html#const
Industry
http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/water/permits/stormwater.html#multi