Help Stop Illegal Dumping Into The Sewer System In Phoenix

Press release from the City of Phoenix:

November 12, 2020

Dumping oil, fuel and solvents into the sewer harms the environment and can cause severe damage to your neighborhood. Illegal sewer dumping has become an increasingly large problem in Phoenix. Wrongdoers dump later at night or during low traffic times.

When someone illegally disposes of waste, the wastewater treatment plant may not be able to treat the water adequately leading to the discharge of solvents, fuels, and oils that can inhibit or kill the micro-organisms. These organisms are vital part of breaking down organic matter in the treatment process.

It can also cause permit exceedances that can lead to the City of Phoenix to be fined by Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) costs that could be passed down to residents.

It affects everyone including the safety of workers. The sewer is not just a series of pipes. There are manholes, metering stations and sampling vaults that require employees to work in as confined space entrants. Fumes from fuels or solvents dumped in the sewer can be harmful to employees.

Wastewater treatment plants expend a lot more time, energy (electricity), and chemicals to treat wastewater containing fuel, oil, and solvents. The additional time needed to clean and treat illegally dumped substances is costly and can affect future costs for all residents.

All fuels, solvents and oils must be recycled or hauled off and disposed of by a licensed waste hauling company. For more information on hazardous waste management visit: http://www.azdeq.gov/hazwaste

If you see someone illegally dumping in your neighborhood, please call 602-261-8000.

This press release was produced by the City of Phoenix. The views expressed here are the author’s own.