What Can We Flush
Products like personal wipes, baby wipes, makeup remover cloths, and disinfectant wipes do not break down in our sanitary sewer system. Even though they are labelled “flushable” they are frequently made with strong fibers that don’t actually break down upon flushing.
Why Wipes don’t belong in the toilet
Flushing wipes can lead to major blockages in the wastewater collection system, starting with your own drain pipes. Costly sewage backups can result in your home and if wipes make it all the way through to the public sewer main pipes, they can clog the pumping stations needed to move sewage through the system towards the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Furthermore, when these wipes create blockages, additional things such as cooking grease, can stick to the wipes, creating what we call ‘fatbergs’ that create major blockages in the collection system that must be removed at considerable cost.
The Solution
Always, ALWAYS dispose of wipes in the garbage.
The following items should NEVER be flushed down the toilet:
- Personal care WIPES/baby WIPES
- Condoms
- Cotton swabs
- Dental floss
- Diapers
- Grease/fat from food
- Hair
- Old medicines
- Sanitary products
- Tampons
To learn more, watch a video about “Non-Flushable Wipes”.