Frequently Asked Questions

1. If I know or suspect someone is dumping toxic substances into storm drains, whom should I contact?

2. I've changed the oil in my car. What do I do with the used motor oil? I also have other automotive items to dispose of. Where should I take these items?

Please do not dispose of motor oil and other automotive substances on the ground, down the storm drain, or in the trash. These substances can pollute groundwater and surface water.

Below is a list of places within Calhoun County currently accepting automotive items for recycling. Although the list is frequently updated, please call ahead to confirm.

Many other companies may also accept these items. Ask your automotive expert which items they accept for recycling. Do not ever mix these items together. Also, label containers of fluids, so that they are more easily identifiable.

Also, used motor oil is accepted at the four Household Hazardous Waste collection days within the county. For more information, visit Calhoun County Recycling or call (269) 969-6341.

3. Where can I properly dispose of oil-based paint, paint thinner, pesticides and herbicides, and other household hazardous chemicals?

These items, and others, can be taken to one of the four Household Hazardous Waste collection days within Calhoun County. For more information, visit Calhoun County Recycling or call (269) 969-6341.

To help figure out what kind of paint you have, it helps to read the label on the front and back of each paint can.

Oil-based Paint

Key words: Alkyd or Oil-based
On front of label, look for the words "Caution: Combustible"
On side of label, look at Ingredients Box; look for key words such as mineral spirits, Soya oil, aliphatic hydrocarbons or petroleum distillates.
This category also includes some stains and most varnishes and polyurethanes.

(Oil-based paint should be disposed of at one of the four Household Hazardous Waste Collection days within Calhoun County.)

Latex Paint

Key word: Latex or Acrylic Latex
On back of label, look for clean-up Instructions; should say "Cleans up with soap and water."
On side of label, look at Ingredients or Contents Box: look for key word: water.
This category also includes some varnish and polyurethanes.

To Proper Dispose of Latex Paint:

Completely dried out paint can be safely discarded in your garbage. To dry out latex paint, try one of these methods:

ADD CAT LITTER TO THE PAINT. Remove lid and stir in plenty of cat litter. Make sure the cat litter is stirred in all the way to the bottom of the can. Let dry overnight. In the morning, the paint will have dried into a hard, crumbly rock. It is now safe to place in trash. Remember to leave lid off.
DRY IT OUT. For cans less than 1/4 full, place in a safe outdoor location, remove lid and allow to air dry. Discard when dry. For cans more than 1/4 full, line a large cardboard box with black plastic. In a safe outdoor location, pour 1/2 inch of paint on top of plastic. Let dry. Repeat by pouring out more paint in 1/2-inch layers until all paint is dry. Roll up plastic and place in trash.

(Information courtesy of the Kalamazoo County Household Hazardous Waste Program.)

5. How can I prevent lawn fertilizers and pesticides from getting into storm drains?

Follow the instructions on the containers closely. Over application can cause these products to make their way into both surface waters and groundwater. One way to avoid over application of fertilizer is to get a soil test. You will get detailed information about the nutrients in your soil to find out specifically what your lawn needs. Often, tests in Calhoun County show the soil in our area has plenty of phosphorus and a low phosphorus fertilizer is recommended. If too much phosphorus gets into our waterways, it promotes excess algae growth. One pound of phosphorus can support approximately 750 pounds of algae! The cost of a soil test is minimal and the information is valuable. Contact the Calhoun County Extension office for more information, (269) 781-0785. Try landscaping with native plants. They are well suited to our climate, resistant to pests and can reduce the need for irrigation and chemical application.

Yes! Grass clippings and leaves cause a problem because of the amount of phosphorus they contain. Try mulching your grass clippings or sweeping or blowing your clippings back on the lawn.

Yes! Consider washing your car on your lawn. That's right! Wash your car on the lawn. The water will add nutrients to your lawn and keep the water out of the storm drain.

If you have any of the following signs, contact the Calhoun County Environmental Health Department, (269) 969-6341.

Yes! Abandoned wells can act as conduits for contamination of groundwater. Close any abandoned wells you may have. For more information, contact the Calhoun County Environmental Health Department, (269) 969-6341.

It might seem that way from what you read and hear, as chemists and microbiologists are able to find more contaminants than ever before, but actually the opposite is true. Water suppliers must meet many more rules today than they did a few years ago, and standards for many of the regulated chemicals and microbes are stricter than they were a few years ago. Tap water quality is improving, although it is being talked about more because the general public is more aware of water quality issues. (Courtesy of Plain Talk About Drinking Water, Third Edition, Dr. James M. Symons, American Water Works Association.)

11. Drinking water often looks cloudy when first taken from a faucet and then it clears up. Why is that?

The cloud water is caused by tiny air bubbles in the water similar to the gas bubbles in beer and carbonated soft drinks. After a while, the bubbles rise to the top and are gone. This type of cloudiness occurs more often in the winter, when the drinking water is cold. (Courtesy of Plain Talk About Drinking Water, Third Edition, Dr. James M. Symons, American Water Works Association.)

If you are on a private well, you probably have a lot of iron dissolved in your water. When the water combines with air, the iron turns reddish-brown. If the problem is severe, you may want to consider buying an iron-removal unit for your home.

If you are on the City of Battle Creek's water system, drinking water pipes may be the problem. Although the city removes iron at its iron removal plant, pipes in the street, leading to your home, or in your home may be rusting, creating the rusty-brown water. Also, your hot water tank may be rusting. Sometimes when the water mains are flushed, rusty-brown water may appear for a short period.

If the problem is persistent, lead and copper may also be getting into your drinking water. Call the City of Battle Creek Water Division with any questions, (269) 966-3481.

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