Your sewer system is designed to handle only two things: human waste and toilet paper.
Everything else that ends up in the sewer can cause serious problems such as sewage spills, sewer back-ups and costly damage to wastewater treatment equipment.
Your on-site wastewater treatment plant is a biological treatment system. Certain chemicals can affect the biological activity and cause interruption in service and possibly shut down the operation of the wastewater treatment plant.
Below is a list of the items that you should never flush down the toilet or pour down a drain:
"Flushable" Wipes
Nearly all of the items that are marketed as “flushable” are anything but. With the exception of toilet paper, there are no other “flushable” paper products. |
Fats, Oils and Greases (also known as FOG)
These include everything from cooking oil to bacon grease to motor oil. Grease sticks to the sides of pipes and creates a thick coating that will eventually block the pipe completely. This can happen to the pipes in your home or to the sewer pipes further down the line. |
Plastic, Latex and Rubber Items
These items will not break down or biodegrade in water, and can cause serious clogs and blockages.
- Condoms
- Tampon Applicators
- Latex Gloves
- Contact Lenses
- Toys and Balloons
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Medical Items
Medications and other medical items should never be flushed down the toilet or the drain.
- Pharmaceuticals (medication)
- Vitamins
- Needles
- Bandages
- Gauze
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Personal Items
It can be tempting to get rid of certain items by flushing them down the drain, but they will quickly clog up pipes.
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Food Waste
All food waste should be disposed of in the compost or in the garbage. Even if you put it through a garburator, food waste can settle in pipes and cause blockages.
- Meat
- Vegetables
- Grains and flours
- Food scraps
- FOG (fats, oils and greases)
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Household Items and Garbage
Even if it's small, anything that isn't toilet paper or human waste can create a clog in your toilet or in the drains.
- Hair
- Cigarette butts
- Cloth
- Drinking straws
- String
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Harsh Chemicals
These types of products should always be properly disposed of at your local transfer station.
- Strong cleaning products
- Paints and varnishes
- Solvents
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Cleaning Supplies
While you may use certain products to clean your bathroom or kitchen, they should never be flushed down the drain.
- Toilet bowl scrubbing pads
- Sponges
- Paper towel
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