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Copper Reduction
Wood Dale residents can unknowingly discharge pollutants to the wastewater treatment plant. Many of these pollutants result from metal concentrations in household products.
Metals are very difficult to remove during the wastewater treatment process and can pass through the wastewater plant and into Salt Creek untreated, or accumulate in the city's treated biosolids.
Certain products used for controlling roots in sewer lines may contain copper sulfate. Copper and other metals flushed down the drain to the City’s wastewater treatment plant cannot be completely removed in the treatment process. The copper may pass through to Salt Creek, with adverse effects on the Creek's sensitive ecosystem. Copper concentrations in treated wastewater solids may make the city’s biosolids unsuitable for land application. Check your root cleaner for copper. If it contains copper sulfate (CuSO4) it is a potential problem for both the treatment plant and the Creek. Many local hardware and plumbing supply stores now offer foaming root control products without copper.
Other potential pollutants are found in used antifreeze which can contain high levels of metals leached from your car's radiator. Mercury from broken thermometers is also a concern when flushed down the drain. Excessive amounts of caustics or corrosives can create hazards in the wastewater collection system.
The safest way to dispose of these products is through a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program.
Visit www.epa.state.il.us/land/hazardous-waste/household-haz-waste/index.html for information regarding scheduled collection events in your area, or visit the Regional Household Hazardous Waste Collection facility located in Naperville behind Fire Station #4, 1971 Brookdale Road. The site is open Saturdays and Sundays, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., excluding holidays. South of Diehl Road off of IL Rte. 59 north of the Fox Valley Mall on the eastern side of IL Rte. 59.
Accepted items include: Household cleaners, Drain opener, Paints (oil based only), Mineral spirits, Strippers, Solvents, Insecticides, Herbicides, Flammables, Automotive fluids, Fluorescent fixtures, Household batteries, Mercury, Unknown hazardous substances
Not accepted: Explosives, Ammunition, Radioactive materials, Compressed gas, Latex Paint, Trash and non-hazardous materials (small amounts of Latex Paint can be dried with an absorbent like sand or kitty litter and then placed out with regular garbage with the lid off the can)
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