Darkroom and Septic system question

veriwide

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Joined
Jun 13, 2003
Messages
117
Location
Boone, NC
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Med. Format Pan
I am moving in a week or so, and will be on a septic system for the first time. What are the do's and don't of disposal with it, and more specifically with darkroom waste. I do have a silver recovery system, but I am worried about spent developer, both film, and paper.

Patrick
 

brimc76

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Joined
Feb 4, 2003
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416
Location
Uxbridge On.
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Multi Format
Patrick, I have been using my darkroom out here in the country for 10 years now without any problems to the septic system. I was told by a Kodak rep that a normal septic system will handle 25% of it's total volume in darkroom waste without problems. I do watch that I am not putting anything exotic into it (I don't do Pyro at home), and I do not put any fix into the septic. I have a place locally that will accept small amounts of fix from home darkrooms for proper disposal.
Most developers are fairly dilute when used, and I will sometimes put a bit of stop into it before washing it down the drain. There are probably worse items under your kitchen sink or in the bathroom (cleaners) that will end up down the drain.
 
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