Can you flush paint, solvents & thinners with a septic tank?
The short answer for paint, solvents & thinners and a septic tank: never. Paints, solvents, and thinners are toxic to tank bacteria and, because a septic system discharges to soil, they pass into groundwater.
Dry out latex paint or take it and any solvents to a hazardous-waste collection site; never pour them down a drain.
- Verdict
- Never — they contaminate the tank and groundwater
- Why
- Paints, solvents, and thinners are toxic to tank bacteria and, because a septic system discharges to soil, they pass into groundwater.
- Dry out latex paint or take it and any solvents to a hazardous-waste collection site; never pour them down a drain.
When in doubt, throw it out — only the three Ps (pee, poo, toilet paper) belong in a septic system.
Check another — What are you thinking of flushing?
Use the Can I Flush This? Septic-Safe Lookup to check any other option, or jump straight to one of these:
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