Waste » Residential » Wastewater » Carpet Cleaning Waste
Wastewater from carpet cleaning may contain dirt, soap, oil, grease, solvents, and other toxic chemicals. All carpet wastewater must be filtered. Once this process is complete, only the filtered wastewater may be discharged into the sewer system via a toilet or utility sink. Please note this does not apply to areas on septic systems. At a location with a septic system, plan to store wastewater and residues in a collection tank and transport them to an authorized sewage discharge point for proper disposal.
If you hire a carpet cleaning businesses ensure that they implement responsible business practices to prevent pollutants from entering storm drains, ditches, and septic systems.
Click here to view the Department of Ecology’s “Good Business Practices for Carpet Cleaning & Wastewater Disposal.”
Many cleaning products can be replaced with less toxic alternatives. In particular, use phosphate free cleaning products when possible. To prevent wastewater leaks, tanks, hoses, and fittings should be serviced regularly. To reduce the amount of lint in the wastewater, vacuum carpets before cleaning. Tell a carpet cleaning company the source of stains before they begin cleaning to determine if hazardous substances are present.
