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Overview
Education, coordination and knowledge transfer all contribute to environmental protection. These initiatives will lead to increased public confidence and performance assurance.
The water that leaves your home is called wastewater. Wastewater is discharged back to a body of water after it is treated. It is important to prevent hazardous materials from being flushed down the drains as they can eventually reach the aquatic environment.
Be aware of the sewer bylaws in your community, which provide information on the materials that should not be flushed. Wastewater treatment plants are not designed to treat hazardous material. Remember: we all have a role to play in protecting our environment.
For more information on how to conserve water and manage other household wastes, see Waste reduction and recycling.
National coordination
The Canada-wide Strategy for the Management of Municipal Wastewater Effluent addresses issues related to governance, wastewater facility performance, effluent quality and quantity, and infrastructure needs in a way that provides consistency and clarity to the wastewater sector across Canada. The strategy seeks to improve the protection of environmental and human health. The Alberta government participated in developing this strategy and our effluent requirements are consistent, if not more stringent, than the strategy's.