What type of waste requires special treatment before entry into the normal plumbing system?

Special wastes require special treatment before entering the normal plumbing system because they are generated from various specialized sources and contain substances that may not be suitable for standard waste systems. These wastes can include items such as industrial by-products, non-hazardous sludge, and certain types of materials that, while not classified as hazardous, still require careful management and treatment to prevent potential harm to the plumbing infrastructure or the environment.

By treating special wastes before they enter the plumbing system, municipalities can ensure that these substances do not interfere with the operation of sewage treatment facilities or lead to environmental contamination. This treatment may include physical, chemical, or biological processes designed to reduce the harmful characteristics of the waste.

In contrast, hazardous wastes, while they do require special handling, are classified differently and have stricter regulatory controls under federal and state laws due to their potential to cause harm. General wastes refer to typical household waste and do not require special treatment, while toxic wastes specifically refer to materials that can be harmful or lethal at certain concentrations and also often fall under hazardous waste regulations.