Perchlorate is a chemical used in solid fuel for missiles and rockets. Small amounts of perchlorate are used in car air bags, electronics, fireworks and fertilizer. Since the 1950s, over 870 million pounds of perchlorate have been manufactured in the United States. As a result of its manufacture, use and disposal, perchlorate is being discovered in soil, groundwater, drinking water, and irrigation water around the country. Perchlorate also occurs naturally in the environment, and has been found in the Texas and in the Southwestern United States. Perchlorate is the main ingredient in missile and rocket fuel and has been found in ground and surface water throughout the country since the 1950's.

This factsheet provides residents with simple steps to reduce stormwater pollution into Tampa Bay.

A host of new technologies and techniques for wastewater management are being developed around the world, in response to environmental, economic and societal limitations increasingly posed by conventional wastewater systems.

New approaches incorporate natural processes and are designed with sustainability in mind, in contrast to energy-intensive and chemical-dependent ystems in current use. The following overview is not meant to be exhaustive in describing these new approaches, but should give some idea of the diversity, flexibility and utility of these technologies.

Traditional centralized wastewater treatment systems are increasingly demonstrating
environmental, economic and social limitations that can’t continue to be ignored. These
energy-intensive and chemical-dependent systems are giving way to more sustainable
approaches, with decentralization being a key component.