Industrial water users discharge processed wastewater that is often contaminated by a variety of harmful substances. Because wastewater treatment plants are not specifically designed to treat these substances, pretreatment programs are needed to eliminate potentially serious problems that may occur if these substances are discharged into the public sewer system.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires the City of Monroe to have an industrial pretreatment program. This program is designed to:

• prevent the introduction of pollutants into the wastewater treatment plant that interfere with the operation of the facility or be incompatible with its equipment.
• improve opportunities to recycle and reclaim municipal wastewater and sludge.

The pretreatment program regulates industrial and commercial facilities discharging wastewater to the Monroe Wastewater Treatment Plant.The City of Monroe industrial pretreatment program forbids discharges containing pollutants which may:

• create a fire or explosion in the treatment plant.
• cause corrosive structural damage to the plant.
• contain solid or viscous pollutants which cause obstruction of flow.
• cause interference with the plant's operations.
• inhibit biological activity.
• result in presence of toxic gases, vapors, or fumes within the plant which may cause worker health and safety problems.

Industrial users may not haul pollutants to locations outside their facility for discharge, unless those discharge points are approved by the City of Monroe.

Disposing of medication

How you dispose of your medications can have a significant impact on the environment. In the past, many people have flushed prescription, over-the-counter and veterinary medications down their toilet. Someone probably told you this was a good way to keep the medication away from children and pets. This is not the best method of disposal for these products, however. Placing outdated or unneeded medications in the garbage are the best way to get rid of them.

When throwing away medications, follow these steps:

• Keep prescriptions in their original container since caps are often childproof and bottles may contain important safety information that could be used if a child or pet accidentally ingested the medication.
• Alter the medication to discourage others from taking it. Add water to bottles of pills and tape the lid shut. Mix liquid medicines with some salt or flour before taping the top down. Wrap foil sheets of medication in a few layers of duct tape.
• Hide the medication before placing in your garbage bag. Don't toss the container directly into the garbage; first, put it inside another container like an empty margarine tub, yogurt cup, etc.

Why flushing is a bad idea

When you flush medication down your drain, it ends up at The City of Monroe's Wastewater Treatment Plant. While this plant is designed to remove many contaminants from untreated water, it may not filter out the ingredients found in many medications. These ingredients can remain in the treated water when it is released into the Ouachita River and harm creatures living in the river, including fish and frogs. Scientific studies have shown that these medications contribute to developmental deformities in aquatic life, as shown below.



For more information

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offers information on the ways medications and personal care products may affect the environment. The U.S. Geological Survey offers research on medications and household products in the environment.

What is FOG!

FOG is a liquid or solid material comprised primarily of FAT, OIL, or GREASE (FOG) from animal or vegetable sources. Sources of FOG include: meat fats, lard, cooking oil, shortening, butter, margarine, food scraps, baking goods, sauces, and dairy products to name a few. Everyone who prepares or cooks food generates FOG -- residential homes, apartment complexes, nursing homes, cafeterias in schools, and churches. We all have a responsibility to prevent the fats, oils, and greases from going into the drain.

Grease accumulation in the sewers can result in Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) and backups. SSOs can lead to:

• Raw sewage overflowing in your home.
• An expensive and unpleasant cleanup that often ends up costing the home owner.
• An increase in operation and maintenance costs for the local sewer department, resulting in higher sewer fees to the customer.

• If you generate large amounts of used cooking oil, recycle it. To find a recycler, check the phone book under "recyclers" or "rendering companies."
• If you generate small amounts of used cooking oil, pour it into a container you can throw away. Never pour it down the drain!!

Reporting Accidental Spills & Discharges

To report accidental spills and illegal discharges to the sanitary sewer system please contact the Pretreatment Division at (318) 329-2428 or (318) 329-2463 Monday - Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For after hours and weekends call (318) 366-1347 or (318) 366-2615.

For questions or comments please send an e-mail to: joy.jefferson@ci.monroe.la.us.