Automotive vs. RV antifreeze
Can I use regular automotive antifreeze in the black and gray water tanks and sink traps or must I use the RV antifreeze? I am in NE AR and only blow out the water lines to winterize our MH.
Forum Discussion
RoadAbode wrote:
As we age we learn that the way we do some jobs change. We learn new ways to do old things. In the end, using the right product will be better for all.
So let's learn about why automotive antifreeze should not be put into our sewer systems or watersheds:
From the EPAAntifreeze is toxic to humans and animals. Waste antifreeze contains heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and chromium in high enough levels to potentially make it a regulated hazardous waste, so most states strictly regulate antifreeze disposal. Antifreeze generators and state and local programs should not dump spent antifreeze on land or discharge it into a sanitary sewer, storm drain, ditch, dry well, or septic system; dumping antifreeze can cause serious water quality problems and might harm people, pets, or wildlife.
Is wastewater treated? Yes, it is treated in order to reduce the hazards of the infectious agents that are in it. Waste water is not treated with the intention of neutralizing industrial chemicals, and in fact, disposal of industrial chemicals will frequently cause harm to the equipment that is used to treat waste water.
It is very naive (and dangerous) to assume that all of our waste water treatment plants are set up to neutralize any substance that someone chooses to dump into a septic or sewer system.
Please remember that waste water that goes into a SEPTIC system is NOT treated, it is merely filtered through dirt. That filtration will NOT remove any kind of industrial chemicals.
Also keep in mind that runoff into storm sewers is usually not treated, it just runs into the nearest river or lake. So, whatever is dumped on the ground either winds up in the ground water or gets washed into the nearest body of surface water.
Waste that goes into a municipal sewer system IS treated. The treatment may involve nothing more than aeration,settling, and filtration, or it may include chemical decontamination for biologicals. It may or may not be able to deal with (neutralize or filter out) industrial chemicals or drugs.
