Sanitary sewers are an underground pipe system that carries wastewater from the plumbing of homes and businesses to the sewage treatment plant for treatment and cleaning.
Items that are not human waste, water or toilet paper can cause flooding in your home or business. They can also cause blockages and backups in our sewer system. Both are costly to repair.
An easy and important way we can have a positive impact on the environment is by properly disposing of fats, oil and grease, also known as FOG. When FOG is washed down the sink or toilet into the plumbing system they cool, harden and stick to the inside of sewer pipes. Over time, the grease will build up and can block the entire pipe – both on your property and on City’s property.
Where FOG can be found...
- meats and bacon drippings
- lards, shortening, cooking oil, butter and margarine
- food scraps and baking goods
- sauces, salad dressings and gravy
- dairy products (milk and cream)
- soups
- sandwich spreads
How should FOG be handled at home?
- Never pour grease down sink drains or into toilets
- Pour FOG into a can (a coffee can works well)
- Place a lid over the top
- Store it to be reused until full
- When the can is full, throw it in the trash
- When there is FOG residue in a pan or on a dish, wipe it with a paper towel before washing and throw that towel in the trash
- Place baskets/strainers into sink drains to catch food scraps and other solids, then empty the drain basket/strainer into the trash
Our sanitary sewer system is not designed to dispose of anything other than human waste, toilet paper or wastewater.
You should not dispose of other items, even if they claim to be disposable.
Some items, such as cotton balls, disposable wipes and feminine hygiene products may seem easy to flush down the toilet. However, they can cause blockages in the sanitary sewer system and should be thrown in the garbage.
Top hygiene items that should not be flushed and rather be placed in your garbage:
- Wipes of any kind (i.e. bathroom, baby and cleaning wipes) Even those that say flushable can cause problems
- Tampons and sanitary supplies
- Condoms
- Cotton swabs
- Dental floss
- Facial tissue
- Paper towel
Bathroom wipes, considered an alternative to toilet paper, are often advertised as disposable. Do not flush wipes down the toilet as they do not break down like toilet paper. They can collect in the sewer system and cause blockages and backups.
The following household hazardous waste should never be flushed down the drain:
- Car and garage products (i.e. antifreeze, motor oil, window washer fluid).
- Household cleaning products (i.e. cleaners, bleach, disinfectants).
- Paints (including any solvent, remover or glue).
- Personal care products (i.e. nail polish remover, perfumes, aftershave).
- Pesticides and garden products.