Pollution Prevention

Pollution

While the wastewater treatment plant effectively removes organic material from wastewater, it is not designed to remove most chemicals, metals, and small plastics. So, when these items are sent down household drains, they pass through the system untreated and end up in the Napa River and eventually the Bay, where they may threaten sensitive aquatic life.

Prevention

The best way to protect water quality and the environment is by preventing pollution before it happens. And prevention is a lot easier and less expensive than cleaning up after the fact! So we offer some tips for residents and business owners to help you start taking simple steps towards pollution prevention.

  1. Medications
  2. Downspouts & Sump Pumps
  3. Home & Garden
  4. Pools & Spas

Safe Disposal of Unneeded Medications

Is a plethora of pills cluttering your medicine cabinet? Unneeded or expired medications can accumulate and create a hazard for children and a temptation for teens. But don’t flush them away; even the most sophisticated wastewater treatment plant can’t remove pharmaceuticals. Instead, take them to one of the locations listed below.  You’ll protect your family and water quality! 

For drop-off of non-controlled substances and medications only:

Hazardous Waste Collection Facility
889A Devlin Road, American Canyon | 1-800-984-9661 | Open Friday and Saturday 9am to 4pm

For drop-off of narcotics and other controlled substances and medications (and non-controlled substances/medications):

American Canyon Safeway, 103 American Canyon Road, American Canyon | (707) 649-5160 (Pharmacy)

Napa County Sheriff's Office, 1535 Airport Blvd, Napa | (707) 253-4509

Napa Police Department, 1539 First St, Napa | (707) 257-9223 (Non-Emergency Number)

Napa Safeway, 3375 Jefferson Street, Napa | (707) 225-3040 (Pharmacy)

Rite Aid, 1203 W. Imola Ave, Napa | (707) 255-4218

Yountville Sheriff Station, 1950 Mulberry St, Yountville | (707) 944-9228 (Use call box at front door for access)

Yountville Veterans Home, 123 California Drive, Yountville | (707) 944-4500

St. Helena Police Station, 1480 Main St, St. Helena | (707) 967-2850

Calistoga Police Station, 1235 Washington St, Calistoga | 707-942-2810

Visit the MED-Project website to request FREE medication mailback envelopes to be sent to your home.  These postage paid and pre-addressed envelopes can be filled with unwanted medications and placed in the mail for proper disposal.  

Mercury Thermometers

Mercury is a highly toxic pollutant that can severely affect the central nervous system, impair hearing and speech, and cause blindness, paralysis, or even death. People are most commonly exposed to mercury by way of broken fever thermometers. A typical thermometer contains about a gram of mercury; enough to make all the fish in it unsafe to eat!

Because thermometers are usually stored and used in the bathroom, when they break, the mercury often gets washed down the drain. Unfortunately, mercury does not get removed in the wastewater treatment process.

To protect your family and the environment, NapaSan will trade in your old mercury thermometer for a new digital thermometer. Call us at 707-258-6000 for details.


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Shop Green Businesses

Do your part! By choosing Green Businesses you help to protect our environment, because Green Businesses prevent pollution, reduce waste, conserve resources, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. You can search for Green Businesses in the Bay Area and throughout California on the California Green Business Program website. You can also learn about the Napa County Green Business Program.