"Dan" > wrote:

> I have a septic system. I've always been worried that the sterilizing
> solution for my equipment and bottles could affect the septic system, so
> I've always dumped it outside. Does anyone know if it would affect the
> system or not?

Unless you are using an awful lot of it, it shouldn't hurt anything. There
are (yeast-like) bacteria in the septic tank which break up the solids into
liquid, which then leaches into the soil (10-12' underground) via the leach
field. Most household cleansers, including bleach and ammonia, will not harm
the system, unless used in unusually large amounts. Similarly metabisulphite
will not harm the system. Proprietory sterilizers usually are some form of
oxidizer, and they shouldn't harm it either. Even sulfuric acid, used in
small quantities to unclog a drain, will not harm it. Unusually large
quantities of anything, including water, may upset the chemical balance.