Reducing the Risk of Groundwater Contamination by Improving Farm and Home Waste Management

Fact Sheet 5

Some waste is inevitable. Things that have been outgrown, broken, replaced, or are just no longer needed all add to the waste produced in and around the homestead.

Waste doesn't just go away. It enters the environment, with some wastes eventually entering groundwater. Good management of the wastes around your farm and home can help protect the quality of your family's drinking water supplies.

Most of the waste accumulated around the farm and home is solid waste. Solid waste includes all discarded solid materials—newspapers, empty paint cans, pickle jars, orange peelings, leftover food, worn-out shoes, junk mail. Liquids and gases are also considered solid wastes. The list is endless. Some of this waste contains potentially hazardous materials. Washington solid waste handling regulations are detailed in Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Chapter 173-304.

Dangerous waste is waste which includes toxic chemicals, corrosives, explosives, flammable substances, and other potentially harmful materials. Federal statutes use the term "hazardous waste." Some hazardous materials, such as lubricating oils or solvents for cleaning metal parts, are an unavoidable part of farm life. Careful purchase of only essential products, using alternative, less toxic products, recycling whenever possible, and utilizing safe disposal practices will minimize the impact of these wastes on groundwater and surface water sources. WAC 173-303 contains the state dangerous waste regulations.

In rural locations, most wastes are disposed of on site. Common disposal methods include burning or simply piling or burying trash in a ditch on the "back 40." Waste disposed of in an open dump, or even underground, can take many years to degrade or breakdown. Hazardous wastes in a dump can move down through the soil and contaminate groundwater you drink, or be washed into surface water bodies.

To minimize the pollution potential from farm, household, and shop wastes and activities, minimize the amount of wastes you produce, especially hazardous wastes. Examine your activities that involve use of hazardous materials to make sure that you really need all the products you are using. Carefully consider how to use the products safely, recycle or reuse them when possible, and dispose of used or remaining products in a way that will not pose a risk to surface water or groundwater. A few simple management principles apply in every situation:

• Use hazardous products away from your well (at least 200 to 400 feet), even when all your spills and drips will be contained.
• Return excess product, spills, or drips to the original activity. For example, contain oil or grease drips and use for future lubrication needs, and apply pesticide container rinse water according to label directions for the pesticide.
• Contain any unusable wastes, spills, and drips for appropriate disposal.
• Take uncontaminated recyclables to a recycling facility if one is available.
• Never dispose of wastes in or around abandoned wells.

When solid waste generated on the homestead is disposed of in an approved manner, there is less likelihood of contaminating groundwater. Pay attention to all state and local regulations when disposing of wastes on your site.

All household and some farm hazardous waste is excluded from waste management regulations. However, you are not exempt from liability for damages arising from waste that is improperly disposed of. Any farm operation that produces more than 220 lbs. of dangerous waste per month, or accumulates more than 220 lbs. at any one time, is subject to state dangerous waste regulations (see WAC 173-303 for additional information).

Open burning of vegetative material is appropriate where permitted by local ordinance. Minimize adverse health effects from smoke by burning outdoors in well-ventilated areas. Materials or products containing toxic or harmful substances—including empty pesticide bags—must not be burned. Open burning is addressed by state regulation in WAC 173-425. Regulations are being rewritten in 1993. In addition, many areas of Washington are located within regional air pollution control districts. Contact your local fire district, Cooperative Extension, Conservation District, or health district for more information.

Special management is needed for many of the hazardous wastes generated from your farm, household, and shop due to the potential threat to your drinking water supplies. Most of these hazardous wastes can be broken down into three broad categories:

• Automotive and equipment maintenance products
• Paints, solvents and other cleaning products
• Farm and household pesticides

Batteries, motor oil, grease and other lubricants, antifreeze, and gasoline and related petroleum products are included in this category of potentially hazardous substances.

The design and location of the vehicle and equipment maintenance area is important. Even small drips and spills can add up to a problem for groundwater. Try to avoid maintenance activities close to your well (within 200 to 400 feet) and use a location where spills and drips can be contained. A common practice is to soak up small drips and spills with sawdust or kitty litter. They can then be disposed of in a safe area away from any surface water supply or well, preferably in a sanitary landfill.

Empty containers from oil and other vehicle maintenance products should be recycled after the product is used, if possible. Take the container to a recycling center or reuse it for product storage. If the container cannot be recycled, dispose of it at an approved hazardous waste collection event/site. Contact your county public works department or health district/department for further information.

Batteries

Disposal of old batteries on-property or in a sanitary landfill is not permitted in Washington. The only recommended way to dispose of them is by recycling. The lead in the battery can be recycled for use in new batteries and other products. The plastic battery casing is also recyclable. Batteries should be stored in a safe, dry place out of direct sunlight, out of reach of children and pets, and away from your well.

Most places that sell batteries will take back used batteries. Some service stations and scrap metal dealers will take used batteries, as well. Many communities have recycling centers which handle old automotive batteries. Contact your county public works department or health district/department for information on where to recycle batteries in your area.

Oil and lubricants

Always store and work with oil, grease, and other lubricants, away from your well. Use up grease and other lubricating products, or share them with someone who needs them. Store waste oil in closed, labeled containers (plastic milk jugs work well) until you can take the oil to be recycled. Service stations often accept limited amounts of used oil, or can inform you of places which do accept it. Waste oil can also be burned in an onsite space heater designed for burning oil as a fuel. Oil must be uncontaminated to be burned or recycled. Do not mix solvents or fuel with oil as it creates a more hazardous product, unsuitable to recycle or reuse.

Antifreeze

Waste antifreeze should be reused by adding it to another cooling system. Antifreeze should not be placed into an onsite septic system, because it may kill organisms the system depends on to break down wastes and can cause the system to fail. Spilled antifreeze should be cleaned up using an absorbent material, such as sawdust or kitty litter, and taken to an approved hazardous waste collection site or event.

Gasoline and other fuels

(For more detailed information about petroleum product storage and the risks it presents, see worksheet and fact sheet 4, Petroleum Product Storage.)

The best method for managing paints, solvents, and cleaning products is to see that they are used up. To avoid wasting any of these products, buy only what you need. Store them in well-ventilated areas, out of reach of children and pets.

Paints and stains

Solvents

Some solvents, such as paint thinner, can be cleaned and reused. Clean dirty solvents by placing them in a closed transparent container and storing them until the paint or other material settles to the bottom. After the sludge has settled out, pour the clean, reusable solvent off the top. Take the sludge to an approved hazardous waste collection event or site. Large quantities of solvents can be picked up by a solvent recycler.

Household cleaners

Empty containers from hazardous household cleaners should be rinsed clean away from wells and other sensitive areas and taken to a recycling facility or reused for a similar product. Empty containers can also be taken to a licensed landfill. Don't bury leftover household chemicals or their containers in your yard, garden, or farm dump.

This category of potentially hazardous substances includes all types of pesticides and pesticide containers, including those used for indoor plants, home maintenance, and yard care. Handle all categories of pesticides as directed on the label to prevent health and environmental problems. Pay particular attention to pesticides classified as "restricted use."

The best management practice for pesticides is to use them up according to current label directions. If you can't use the pesticide, see if a neighbor or local business may have a need for it. In some instances, mini-bulk tanks and returnable containers allow the return of excess chemicals to the place of purchase.

For leftover pesticides that cannot be used or disposed of in any of these ways, store them safely until they can be taken to an approved community hazardous waste collection site or event. In Washington, household hazardous waste collection programs will not take business or farm quantities of most pesticides (usually no more than a few quarts). Contact the Pesticide Management Division of the Washington State Department of Agriculture at (206) 902-2050 for assistance in this situation. For information about local collection events, contact your local health department or county Cooperative Extension office.

Always be sure stored pesticides are in original containers, properly labeled, and in a locked cabinet or building out of the reach of children. To offer the greatest protection to your drinking water, store pesticides as far away as possible from your well. Do not store pesticides in your pumphouse.

Pesticides come in mini-bulk tanks, plastic containers, or paper containers. Mini-bulk tanks are returned to the place of purchase when application has been completed. Some plastic containers can be returned to the place of purchase for disposal. Paper containers should be bundled and taken to a licensed sanitary landfill, if possible. Do not burn or reuse old pesticide containers. Check with your local dealer to learn what container disposal opportunities are available before purchasing the pesticide.

Always triple rinse containers, return the rinse water to the spray tank and apply following labeled instructions. If you cannot return plastic containers to the place of purchase, store the triple-rinsed containers in a dry, locked storage area, until you can take them to a container recycling event ot to an approved landfill. Triple-rinsed pesticide containers may still contain enough pesticide residue that they should not be used for any other purpose.

For more detailed information about the management and storage of pesticides on the farm, see worksheet and fact sheet 2, Pesticide Storage and Handling. Further information on pesticide storage, handling, disposal, and safety can be obtained from the WSDA Pesticide Management Division, (206) 902-2050.

Buy with care—Purchase only those items you need in the amounts you can use, and use as few hazardous products as possible.

Try to use less hazardous products—The Washington Toxics Coalition has extensive information suggesting product substitutes that are less harmful to both human health and the environment.

Try to use up products and use them safely—This is the best way to minimize waste and protect your water supply.

Recycle or reuse—Many of the items used around the farm and home can be recycled or reused by either yourself or someone you know. Take advantage of the recycling centers to which you have access and don't be afraid to give some products away. Items which may be waste to you might be useful to someone else. Instead of throwing away usable or repairable items, give them to a friend, organization, or business that can use them.

Know the sources of hazardous waste—Know which products around your farm and home are potential contaminants of the environment and groundwater supplies so that you can manage their use and disposal. This will allow you to better protect your family's drinking water supplies.

Follow safe disposal practices—Since some waste is inevitable, disposal of waste is inevitable, as well. Following the recommendations for solid and hazardous waste disposal as described in this fact sheet can help minimize the risk these wastes present to your family's drinking water supplies.

Health concerns
Your county health district/department, or the Washington Department of Health Consumer Assistance Hotline, 1 (800) 521-0323.

Northwest: (206) 649-7000
Southwest: (206) 753-2353
Central: (509) 575-2490
Eastern: (509) 456-2926

Or, call 1 (800) RECYCLE (732-9253) for information on disposal of household hazardous waste.

Publications are available from sources listed at the end of the reference section. Refer to number in parentheses after each publication.

Groundwater contamination, protection, and testing

Washington Agriculture-Sustaining Water, Land and People EB1634 (1)
Washington Groundwater: A Vital Resource EB1622 (1)
Protecting Your Groundwater: Survey Your Homestead Environment EB1631 (1)
Why The Concern About Agricultural Contamination in Groundwater? EB1632 (1)
Role of Soil in Groundwater Protection EB1633 (1)
Protecting Groundwater from Pesticide Contamination EB1644 (1)
Pesticide Movement in Soils—Groundwater Protection EB1543 (1)
Defining Water Quality EB1721 (1)

Hazardous waste management and disposal

Disposal of Household Hazardous Waste EB1522 (1)
Safe Disposal of Home Use Pesticides EB1386 (1)
Moderate Risk Management: At Home...At Work, 90-BR-16. (2)
Your Home, Your Health and Pesticides, 90-BR-17. (2)

Because residential waste is largely the responsibility of local jurisdictions, many county health and public works departments often distribute excellent educational materials which reflect local regulations. Contact your county government for additional information on management and disposal of household solid wastes.

Recycling

The Household Recycling Center—A Design Handbook for Architects, Designers, Homebuilders, and Do-It-Yourselfers. (2)
A Guide to Recycling Around the House. (2)
Commercial Waste Reduction and Recycling Manual, 90-36. (2)
Waste Reduction, Recycling and Your Business, 90-BR-5. (2)

Publications available from...

1. Your county Cooperative Extension office. There may be charges for publications, postage, and sales tax.

2. Washington Department of Ecology, Publications Office, PO Box 47600, Olympia, Washington, 98504-7600.

Home·A·Syst team members: Christopher F. Feise and Edward B. Adams, WSU Cooperative Extension Water Quality Coordinators; James D. LaSpina, Homestead Assessment System Project Associate.

Farm and Home Waste Mangement Technical Reviewers: Enid Cox, WSU Cooperative Extension; Jerry Stonebridge, Sr., Washington Onsite Association; Karen Paugh, Yakima Health District; Cheryl Freeman, Inland Empire Public Lands Council; Richard Granberg, Washngton Department of Ecoology; Mark Nedrow and Suzanne Tarr, Yakima Public Works Department.

Adapted for Washington from material developed by the Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Kansas Extension Services and Farm·A·Syst Programs. Washington Home·A·Syst development was supported by the National Farmstead Assessment Program.