Public Works and Environmental Services Alert:
Avoid costly repairs. Throw wipes in the trash.
Don’t flush wipes and personal care products down the toilet.
Protect your pipes by properly disposing of “unflushables” such as wipes - even those labeled as flushable - and other non-dispersible paper materials (e.g., tissues, cotton balls, cotton swabs, feminine hygiene products, dental floss, paper towels, and other trash) in the trash.
Save your cash. Put all grease in the trash.
Don’t pour fats, oils, or grease down the drains.
Protect your pipes by properly disposing of fats, oils or grease in the following ways:
Protect your community and water supply.
Don’t flush or pour medication down toilets or drains.
Flushed medications can bypass treatment and end up in lakes, rivers and streams. Properly dispose of unused and expired medications in the following ways:
Follow the Health Department's instructions for Safe Disposal of Medicines | Health Department.
Get more information on upcoming Drug Take Back Days. Note: Information is updated before each event in October and April.
Learn more about wastewater treatment.
Take a virtual tour of the Noman M. Cole, Jr., pollution control plant.
What happens to your dirty water when it goes down the drain after you flush your toilet, take a shower, wash your dishes, or do your laundry? Understanding the wastewater collections and treatment process can help you learn how we keep the Potomac River clean and what you can do to help protect the environment.