Sewage spills can result in an incredibly nasty mess. In both commercial and residential applications, a sewage overflow can cause damage to property and hazards to human health. Let’s talk about how to avoid that.
Sewage spills can result from several causes, such as heavy storms, blockages in the sewage system, and failures in the septic tank. A commercial sewage treatment system can help prevent spills, but not every property has that. A sewage spill is difficult to clean up, not to mention the risks involved when you are exposed to it. It’s better to take precautionary measures than to risk public health and spend resources to clean up a sewage spill.
Here are some of the best things you can do to prevent it from happening:
Install an overflow protection device
An overflow protection device can be used in both homes and businesses. It can prevent sewage from backing up in your property and save you from the trouble of cleaning up. An OPD can be bought in most plumbing supply stores but would have to be installed according to district specifications.
Remember the No FOG rule
The No FOG rule prevents all fats, oils, and greases from being disposed of through the drains. Fats and oils can solidify in the pipes and cause clogging in the sewer lines, which will eventually lead to a sewer overflow. Here are other simple ways to avoid FOG from going down the drains:
- Collect FOGs in a compostable container and dispose of it in the compost
- Avoid putting fatty food residue in the garbage disposal
- Wipe greasy pots and pans with a paper towel before washing
- Drop off large amounts of cooking FOGs at designated recycling centers
Be careful of what you flush down the toilet
Flushing inappropriate items in the toilet will clog your toilet and your sewer drains. Other than bodily waste, the only thing you can flush down the toilet is toilet paper. Baby wipes, sanitary products, diapers, cotton balls, hair, and other trash should be thrown away properly.
Practice water conservation
Both homes and businesses should take part in the water conservation efforts of their city. Reducing water use is one of the best ways to minimize wastewater or sewage, which can lower the risk of sewage backing up and overflowing. Moreover, you can save money on the water bill, too. Here are some water conservation tips that you can practice at home:
- Keep showers short
- Install low-flow toilets and showerheads
- Fix leaky faucets and sinks immediately
- Run the dishwasher and washing machine only when they are full
- Take fewer baths
- Turn off faucets when not in use
- Replace water-consuming appliances with more efficient ones
Have your sewage system inspected
Sewage systems aren’t infallible. Have your sewage system inspected by a professional. Make sure you have no illegal connections and get a plumber to correct them if there’s any. If they find that more than half of your pipes are too old, replace them with PVC and other plastic options.
Sewage spills are a hassle. They are expensive to clean and are incredibly difficult to take care of. They also pose a huge threat to people and the environment. These five tips are the best ways to avoid a sewage spill from happening, so make sure you remember them by heart.
