What Can Go Down the Drain?
The only substances allowed down drains are those that meet all of the following criteria:
1. Nonhazardous
o No radioactive waste
o No hazardous chemical waste
o No untreated biohazard waste
2. Liquid
o No solids, sludge, or viscous substances
3. Will not interfere with sewage treatment operations
o No corrosive pH levels
o No grease or oil
o No hot (150°F or higher) temperatures in volumes of more than 10 gallon
If you can't find a particular substance listed in this document and aren't sure how to dispose of it, contact Facility Management to reach the Environmental
Specialist at 515-242-7917.
A list of common chemicals and procedures for disposal are listed below.
Note: Protect drains from chemical spills — do not use sinks for chemical storage or secondary containment
Drain Disposal Quick Guide
Material
Biohazard waste
Can it go down the drain?
Solids: NO
Liquids: NO, unless they have
been deactivated
Controlled substances
Radioactive waste
Hazardous chemical
waste
Non-liquids
Solids, sludges, or
viscous substances
Solids: NO
NO
NO
Can it go down the drain?
NO
What to do with it?
Liquid biohazard waste can be decontaminated and made suitable for drain disposal in 2 ways:
 Deactivate with bleach (1 part bleach to 9 parts liquid waste) for 30 minutes before
pouring it down the drain.
 Put into a biohazard waste bag and dispose of it through Metro Waste.
Solids must be put into a biohazard waste bag and disposed.
These chemicals are controlled under EPA’s Toxic Substances Control Act.
This should found in any school. If found, contact facility management for disposal
If you cannot identify the chemical, or it is considered hazardous waste, then contact facility
management for disposal.
As a rule of thumb follow the information in the safety data sheet. Also, if you would be
reluctant to eat, drink, or wear the material it is probably not safe to put down the drain.
What to do with it
These items can obstruct the flow of sewage.
Powders and salts
NO
These items can obstruct the flow of sewage.
 Do not dissolve them with water.
Corrosive pH levels
Corrosive waste with a
pH between 2.0 and 5.0
Can it go down the drain?
NO, unless it has been
adjusted
What to do with it
You have 2 disposal options:
 Adjust the pH to greater than 5.0 and less than 12.5 and then dispose of it down the
drain.
 Store and dispose of non-adjusted waste as hazardous chemical waste.
Corrosive waste with a
pH of 2.0 or less or pH
of 12.5 or higher
Hot liquids
Hot, nonhazardous
liquids (150°F or more)
NO
This kind of waste is always considered hazardous chemical waste. Do not adjust it.
Can it go down the drain?
NO, unless in volume is of less
than 10 gallons
Grease and oil
Grease and oil
Can it go down the drain?
NO
Common questions
Alcohols
Can it go down the drain?
NO, unless the concentration is
nonhazardous
Formalin and
formaldehyde
NO, unless the concentration is
nonhazardous and does not
contain methanol or other
hazardous chemicals
What to do with it
For 10 gallons or more of nonhazardous hot liquid:
 Cool the liquid to below 150°F before pouring it down the drain.
What to do with it
For higher concentrations:
 Dispose of substances such as automotive oil, gear oil, and machinery grease by
contacting facility management for disposal.
 Place substances such as vegetable oil, lard, or shortening in the regular trash.
What to do with it
Ethanol is nonhazardous in concentrations less than 24%. Dilution of higher concentrations of
any alcohol is not allowed. For other alcohols:
 Dispose of it as hazardous chemical waste unless it is in concentrations less than 24%.
Formalin solutions containing less than 2.9% formaldehyde is nonhazardous and can go down
the drain.
Hydrogen peroxide
Photo and X-ray
processor chemicals
Other chemicals
Latex paint
Oil paint
Wash and rinse water
NO, unless its concentration is
less than 8%
NO, unless it is spent photo
developer is not mixed with
fixer
NO, unless the concentration is
nonhazardous
NO
NO
NO, unless it has met certain
criteria
Dilution of higher concentrations is not allowed. For higher concentrations dispose of as
hazardous chemical waste.
Dilution of higher concentrations is not allowed. For higher concentrations dispose of as
hazardous chemical waste
For concentrated, unused processor chemicals and other spent solutions dispose of as
hazardous chemical waste
Some chemicals are hazardous in any concentration. Dilution of higher concentrations is not
allowed.
 If uncertain contact facility management for disposal.
Contact facility management for pick up.
Contact facility management for pick up.
It can go down the drain If: it is nonhazardous, has no biohazard or chemical waste, solids,
sludge, or viscous substances. Also cannot have corrosive pH levels or grease or oil.