Environmental

New Tri-County Solid Waste Management 
The new building is located just west of Fleet Farm in Waite Park, at 3601 5th Street S, Waite Park, MN 56387. This agency accepts products year-round from residents in Stearns, Benton and Sherburne Counties. Their recent move into a new, and improved facility, makes dropping of unwanted materials very easy. They have a drive-through area to accommodate you during all kinds of weather, and accept many kinds of unwanted items.


They encourage reusing materials that come into the Waste Facility. These products may be items such paint, stain, adhesives, florescent bulbs, home improvement products as well as other items.

For more information about this service call the Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 320-255-6140 or 1-800-450-6140. 

Watch for an open house scheduled later this spring.

 

Do you have questions about Environmental Issues?
Questions about everything from disposing of unwanted items to testing of water and septics can be answered by the Stearns County Environmental Services Office. You can contact them at 320-656-3613, and they will direct you to the proper resource.



Dispose of Prescription Drugs Safely
Unused prescription drugs can be left at the new medication drop-off box located in the lobby of the Stearns County Law Enforcement Center, 807 Courthouse Sq., St. Cloud. Lobby hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information contact the Sheriff’s Office at 320-259-3700.

 

Septic System Maintenance and Care
While your septic system is “out-of-sight” it really should not be “out-of-mind.” Here are a few important points to get the best performance and longest life out of your septic system.

• Tank Maintenance
• Septic tanks should be pumped every three years.
• Septic tanks must be pumped through the manhole cover.
• Chemical additives are not needed and may flow directly into the ground water.

• Soil Treatment System Maintenance
• Overloading – Space heavy water usage jobs, such as laundry, throughout the week to prevent overloading.
• Compaction – Nothing heavier than a riding lawnmower should be driven over any part of the septic system, including the drain field.
• Vegetative Cover – A good grass cover should be maintained over the soil treatment system.

• Septic System Performance
➢ Bathroom
• Install a new low-flow toilet.
• Repair leaky faucets and toilets immediately.
• Do not flush cigarette butts or unwanted prescriptions or over-the-counter medications down the toilet.
• Take short showers instead of tub baths.
• Install low-flow shower heads.

• Kitchen
• Wash only full loads in the dishwasher.
• Use minimal amounts of mild cleaners, as needed only.

• Laundry
• Select a front-loading washing machine that uses less water.
• Wash only full loads of laundry.
• Use the minimum amount of detergent or bleach necessary to do the job.
• Use liquid detergents.

• Basement and Utility Rooms
• Reroute the water softener recharge water outside the septic system. It does not need to be treated.
• Route roof drains and basement drainage tile water (sump pumps) outside of septic system and away from the drain field.

For other questions, contact Stearns County Environmental Services at (320) 656-3613 or 1-800-450-0852.

While your septic system is “out-of-sight” it really should not be “out-of-mind.” Here are a few important points to get the best performance and longest life out of your septic system.

• Tank Maintenance
• Septic tanks should be pumped every three years.
• Septic tanks must be pumped through the manhole cover.
• Chemical additives are not needed and may flow directly into the ground water.

• Soil Treatment System Maintenance
➢ Overloading – Space heavy water usage jobs, such as laundry, throughout the week to prevent overloading.
• Compaction – Nothing heavier than a riding lawnmower should be driven over any part of the septic system, including the drain field.
• Vegetative Cover – A good grass cover should be maintained over the soil treatment system.

• Septic System Performance
• Bathroom
• Install a new low-flow toilet.
• Repair leaky faucets and toilets immediately.
• Do not flush cigarette butts or unwanted prescriptions or over-the-counter medications down the toilet.
• Take short showers instead of tub baths.
• Install low-flow shower heads.

• Kitchen
• Wash only full loads in the dishwasher.
• Use minimal amounts of mild cleaners, as needed only.

• Laundry
• Select a front-loading washing machine that uses less water.
• Wash only full loads of laundry.
• Use the minimum amount of detergent or bleach necessary to do the job.
• Use liquid detergents.

• Basement and Utility Rooms
• Reroute the water softener recharge water outside the septic system. It does not need to be treated.
• Route roof drains and basement drainage tile water (sump pumps) outside of septic system and away from the drain field.

For other questions, contact Stearns County Environmental Services at (320) 656-3613 or 1-800-450-0852.