Industrial waste is waste resulting from industry or productive labor. Chemicals, minerals, and other toxins can be discharged into local waterways by businesses. These discharges are regulated and the rules must be carefully followed by regional businesses to insure the safety of our citizens. Chemicals that are discarded on business property can also find their way into our water. Long term leaching and flooding can move these chemicals into the water.

Businesses near local waterways must be careful about chemicals leaching into the soil. For example, this salvage garage that is upslope from the East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek must be very careful of how chemicals and trash are handled.		Here is trash disposed of next to a local waterway. Area residents should discard all trash in a safe manner so that it does not effect water quality.
Many local businesses are located next to the East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek. This business on Callowhill Street is one of many in Perkasie and Sellersville that are located in the floodplain for the creek.		These homes on the other side of Callowhill Street are very close to the floodplain. Any chemical improperly disposed of from these households can easily leach in to the local waterway.
The garage of the National Guard armory in Sellersville is in the floodplain of the East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek.		Piles of salty road snow eventually end up in our waterways.

CORROSIVE SUBSTANCES

In sewer lines, compounds like cleaners, solvents, thinners, pesticides, and laboratory chemicals may cause toxic gases and fumes. The toxins can leach into local waterways.

Swimmers in the East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek at Walnut Street bridge in Perkasie.

Both businesses and individuals must be careful not to discard chemicals in their sewer system (toilet, sink, etc). What you pour down the drain may end up in local streams or your drinking water at a later time. Be very careful about what goes into your water!

WASTEWATER

Temperature Pollution

High temperatures can cause materials in the wastewater to release gases in some sewers or can disrupt operations in sewage treatment plants. Industrial wastewater must not exceed 65º C (150º F), at the point where it enters the public sewer system.

Biosolids

Biosolids are nutrient organic solids produced by wastewater treatment processes. The goal is to produce the most contaminant-free biosolids practically achievable. Biosolids effect the environment in a variety of ways. For example, before they were are applied to an area, a tree only grew a little in twenty years. After the biosolids were applied it grew twice as much in only nine years. Flooding of sewage treatment plants can cause biosolids to contaminate local waterways.