This chemical can pass directly through a septic system without breaking down at all. Chlorine bleach can also pass through a septic system without breaking down. Also the chlorine can react with organic matter to form new toxic chemicals. If your home is hooked to a municipal sewage system, your wastewater is piped to a central sewage plant. After treatment, it is discharged into area rivers, lakes and streams.
Most municipal systems rely on bacteria or other organisms to decompose the waste.
Some hazardous household waste can pass through the system unchanged and thus pollute the water downstream. In addition, hazardous household wastes poured down the drain may corrode the plumbing or collect in the trap and release fumes through the drains. Don't pour it in ditches, storm drains orgutters. If you pour hazardous household waste in ditches, storm drains or gutters, it can poison plants and wildlife, contaminate the soil, and be harmful to children and adults who come in contact with it When it rains, the hazardous household waste travels directly to nearby streams, rivers and lakes. Don't burn it.