Don't Dump Pesticides

Don't Dump Pesticides

Help Us Keep the South Platte River Clean

Pesticides (and herbicides) used around the home to control unwanted insects and weeds often find their way into the local creeks and the South Platte River through over applications, spills and run-off. They can also enter the sewer system through improper disposal. The good news is that you can reduce your use of pesticides and still control your pests!

Why less toxic pest control is better and safer for your family and the environment:

Human health: the long-term effects of exposure to a certain pesticide are rarely known when a product is marketed. For example, two of the most common household pesticides, diazinon and chlorpyrifos (Dursban), were removed from sale nationwide due to new information about their potential long-term harm to the nervous systems of children and wildlife. Minimizing pesticide use reduces chances of pesticide-related health risks.
Home use of pesticides accounts for most of pesticide runoff in local creeks and the South Platte River.
Less toxic pest control alternatives are usually more effective because they focus on solving pest problems at the source.

What you can do to help:

Use less toxic pest control products.
Buy only as much pesticide as you need.
Use as directed. Do not overapply.
Use it all up. No leftovers.
Triple-rinse the empty container, pour the rinsewater on the grass, wrap it in old newspaper, and dispose of it in the trash.
Never dump any left over pesticides down any drain whatsoever.

Following these five simple steps will help reduce pollutants going into the South Platte River and make it a better environment for all the creatures that live in and around it.

The Metro Wastewater Reclamation District provides wholesale wastewater transmission and treatment for approximately 1.3 million retail ratepayers served by 55 metro Denver governments. These include Denver, Arvada, Aurora, Lakewood, Thornton, part of Westminster, and more than 45 smaller cities and sanitation districts.

Metro treats about 160 million gallons of wastewater a day at its Central Treatment Plant--the largest wastewater treatment facility between the Mississippi River and the West Coast--discharging the treated water to the South Platte River.

In addition to being suitable for use as a drinking water supply source, the South Platte River is also used for agriculture, fish and aquatic life, industrial use and recreation. Metro's effluent makes up 90% of the river for nine months of the year.

recycle symbol (4612 bytes) By products of the treatment process are recycled into a usable garden compost, Metrogro™. This compost is fine-screened and available bagged (1.25cu. ft.). Delivery is available.