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Portland Water District - Portland, Maine
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What you can do
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What You Can Do

There are many ways you can help improve the wastewater treatment process.

Support Your Local Treatment Plant
Flush ONLY Toilet Paper
Dispose of Household Products Safely
Safe Alternative to Harmful Household Cleaners
Use Water Wisely

Support Your Local Treatment Plant
Be aware of your treatment plant's efforts to provide clean water. Visit your local treatment plant. Learn what special problems it must solve and what you can do to help.

SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS TO GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT WIPES AND OTHER MATERIALS BEING FLUSHED DOWN THE TOILET. 
Request this clear and black decal to place on your toilet.
Decal is a collaborative project between PWD and USM.

Flush ONLY Toilet Paper

Over the last few years the Portland Water District has experienced an increase in wastewater pump station malfunctions. Crews regularly unclog mounds of disposable and flushable wipes from pumps, at considerable expense and environmental consequence. When equipment clogs, wastewater backs up into homes and out overflow channels into our rivers and bays.

The Portland Water District URGES customers to flush ONLY toilet paper and human waste. Even though products may indicate they are biodegradable or can be flushed, they do not break down in time to make it through the wastewater process.

 

  MORE INFORMATION

 

 

 

Dispose of Household Products Safely
Don't pour fats, grease, oils, solvents, pesticides, paint thinners, engine oil, or household cleaning products with hazardous chemicals down the drain or into storm sewers. Take them to a recycling center or a hazardous waste collection site. Use fertilizers carefully and only as directed. Try to find safe alternatives to products that can harm water supplies.

Safe Alternative to Harmful Household Cleaners
Chrome Cleaner
Use baking soda and a dry cloth
Copper Polish
Dip cut side of lemon in salt, rub copper
Apply catsup with soft cloth, rub
Pour vinegar and salt over copper, rub
Drain Cleaner
Use a drain strainer
Use a plunger or mechanical snake
Pour 1/2 cup baking soda into drain, follow with 2 cups boiling water
To prevent clogging, flush drain weekly with boiling water
Use an enzymatic, biological drain cleaner
Furniture Polish
Use 3 parts olive oil and 1 part vinegar
Use 1 tsp lemon oil in 1 pint mineral oil
Use 1 part lemon juice 2 parts vegetable oil
Insect Spray for Plants
Blend 6 cloves crushed garlic, 1 minced onion, 1 Tbs dried hot pepper, and 1 tsp pure soap in 1 gallon hot water; let sit 1-2 days; strain before using
Place 1 cigarette in 1 quart water overnight; strain and spray
Silver Polish
Soak silver in 1 quart warm water containing 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt, and a piece of aluminum foil
Rub silver with ammonia and a soft cloth
Window Cleaner
Use solution of 1/2 cup vinegar in 1 gallon warm water

Use Water Wisely
Practice water conservation at home and at work. Be aware of how much water you use. Fix leaks, and install water-saving devices and appliances. Learn more about controlling water costs in your household.