WaterSense: protecting the water environment from household chemicals

It’s easy to flush or rinse something away and forget all about it, without stopping to think where ‘away’ is. But all the drainage points in our house – sinks, toilets, washing machines and baths – drain into sewers; this wastewater flows to treatment works where it is treated then returned to the water environment: our lochs, rivers and seas.

Our society is entirely dependent upon manufactured chemicals, and as a result we interact now with more chemical substances than at any time in human history. Some of these chemicals accumulate in us and in the environment. The challenge is to achieve the appropriate balance so that we may all enjoy the benefits of chemicals without significant detriment to current and future human and wildlife health.

There are systems in place to evaluate both new chemicals and those already on the market; but unless and until we know more, there are good reasons to try to reduce exposing ourselves and the environment to these chemicals.

You cannot avoid household chemicals, so this site aims to help you dispose of them more safely and to use safer products. You will find advice here and lots of links to other sites and other organisations that can help.

For further information please contact WWF Scotland: phone 01350 728200, email info@watersense.org.uk, or write to WaterSense, c/o WWF Scotland, Little Dunkeld, Dunkeld, PH8 0AD