If you've spent much time in the IRWD Water Education section, you've learned that water is very important to us and that there isn't much water in Southern California. That means we have to take good care of the water supplies we do have so they are not wasted or polluted. Pollution means making something dirty.

You can join IRWD's Kleen-Up Kops in helping to keep water clean.

Businesses, industry and farms are monitored by local and state agencies to make sure they do not cause water pollution. But private citizens can cause pollution if they aren't careful about how they dispose of household hazardous waste. Hazardous waste is anything that is poisonous, flammable (something that can catch fire) or corrosive (a chemical that can eat through certain materials).

What's that you say? You don't have hazardous materials in YOUR house? Think again.

Hazardous or toxic materials that can be found in many homes or garages include things like: motor oil, anti-freeze, weed killers, bug spray, gasoline, paint and paint thinner, some cleaning supplies, car batteries and even used flashlight batteries! If these things are disposed of in the wrong way, it can lead to water pollution. Here's a list of DOs and DON'Ts that can help you become a Kleen-Up Kop:

DON'Ts

• Don't pour toxics down the drain or into a sewer manhole. They can disrupt the water reclamation process or even harm sanitation workers.
• Don't throw toxics in the trash. They can seep from the landfill onto the ground and cause pollution of the groundwater.
• Don't pour toxics or rinse their container in your driveway or the street. Street gutters lead to storm drains, which lead directly to the ocean. Unlike the sewer system, water in storm drains does not go through any treatment or clean-up before it goes to the ocean. Even throwing a paper cup or candy wrapper on the street will cause pollution, because eventually that trash will be swept down a storm drain and out to the ocean.
• Don't dump toxic material on the ground or dig a hole to bury them. They will seep into the groundwater, causing pollution.

• DO shop wisely. Try not to buy toxic materials at all if there is a non-hazardous alternative. For example, lady bugs will eat many of the insects that cause damage in gardens. Lady bugs can be purchased at many garden supply stores and can be used instead of a chemical spray.
• DO store products safely. Keep toxic products in their original containers with tight-fitting lids. Keep flammable materials away from open flames or other sources of ignition, like the pilot light on a water heater in the garage.
• DO recycle whenever possible. Things like motor oil can be recycled. Take used oil to an oil recycling center or have your oil changed at a gas station or maintenance facilaity where oil recycling is standard practice.
• DO use up things like left-over paint instead of throwing them away.
• DO dispose of toxics at a household hazardous waste recycling center right here in Irvine. There is one located in Irvine, on Oak Canyon Road, off Sand Canyon Ave. north of Irvine Center Drive. They will recycle whatever possible and see that other items are disposed of properly. And it's free to residential customers!
• DO report polluters. If you see someone pouring things into a storm drain or into a sewer manhole you should tell your parents or your teacher so they can report illegal dumping to the police department or to the Orange County District Attorney's Hazardous Waste Task Force.