Pollution Prevention

You Need Water. Water Needs You.

Water is a part of everything. We can’t exist without it. It’s essential to our health, environment, economy, and quality of life. Everyone has a responsibility to protect it by working together to keep it clean and healthy for today and the future. We all have something at stake when it comes to water.

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Respect

Our lives and communities are built on clean water and the infrastructure that supports it. It’s so reliable that we might not give it—or the impact of our actions—a second thought. Respect water by taking the time to stop, think, and act.

Effort

We all consume water and create waste every day. Making smart choices helps us sustainably reuse water and manage waste to protect the environment and the systems that keep it flowing. A little effort goes a long way.

Passion

Water professionals around the world work every day to recover resources and provide clean water to protect our health, environment, economy, and quality of life. Water is our passion. We'd like it to be yours too.

Health

Water and wastewater treatment has saved millions of people all but eliminating waterborne diseases and advancing the health of our communities. We must work together to protect our global water environment. Our lives depend on it.

Future

Water must be recovered, recycled, and returned to the environment. Supporting innovative solutions and technology helps us transform operations for greater efficiency, productivity, and long-term sustainability. It's an investment in our future.

What You Can Do

Take the time to stop and think before you flush! The only things you should ever flush down the toilet are human waste and toilet paper. Even though some products claim to be flushable, such as "flushable" wipes, they are not.

Never put the following items down the toilet or drain: 

  • Cleaning products (products with words like toxic, corrosive, flammable, or ignitable mentioned on the label)
  • Automotive products (motor oil, antifreeze, brake fluids)
  • Garden supplies (pesticides, herbicides, fungicides)
  • Paints and solvents (latex and oil-based paints, thinners, strippers) 
  • Do not clean oil-based paintbrushes in the sink
  • Medical waste; expired or unwanted medications
  • Plastics or cardboard products
  • Wipes (baby wipes, facial wipes, "flushable" wipes) 
  • Sanitary pads, tampons, or tampon applicators
  • Hair, cotton balls, cotton swabs, tissues or contacts
Flushing plastic or cardboard products can clog the sewer system and your own bathroom facilities. It also increases maintenance costs at the WRRC which is reflected in the sewer use fees residents pay.

Unused Medications

Do not flush unused medications down the toilet. You can safely dispose of medications in the garbage, or take medications to an approved prescription drug take-back site or event. Unused medication is accepted 24 hours/7 days a week at the Dubuque Law Enforcement Center. A drop-off container is located in the lobby at 770 Iowa Street.