Many toilet paper alternatives such as “flushable wipes,” wet wipes, sanitary napkins, and even paper towels cannot safely be flushed down the toilet. Wet wipes flushed down toilets contribute to many sewer blockages in sanitary sewer lines—and even in your home.
Wet wipes or so-called flushable wipes that claim they are “safe for flushing” can still cause serious damage to your home’s plumbing. Flushing wipes down the toilet might not cause an immediate issue; however, the problem can arise later as the wipes move through the sewer system. These wipes don’t dissolve and ultimately clump together, causing pipe clogs. If these sewage backups lead to overflows inside homes, they can create health risks for residents and their families.
When wipes make it to the wastewater treatment plant, the facility becomes overworked trying to process the solid material that does not break down. This can lead to major treatment issues for both individual homes and the District’s wastewater treatment facilities.
These blockages also increase the daily cost of operating the sewer plant—requiring more labor, more maintenance, and more frequent repairs. Over time, increased operational costs affect the District’s overall budget, which can ultimately influence the operating costs and tax rates paid by residents.
Examples of things you should not flush include:
- Cotton products (cotton balls, swabs, and dental floss)
- Feminine hygiene products
- Paper towels, tissues, and napkins
- Contraceptives
- Feminine hygiene products
- Diapers & baby wipes
- Hair
- Gum
- Medications
- Cat litter
- Cigarette butts
These items are considered “non-biodegradable,” meaning they can’t be broken down organically. This is important because wastewater treatment plants use micro-organisms to break down, feed on, and remove contaminants from the waste. Micro-organisms cannot break down the items listed above, and these materials damage equipment at the plant—leading to costly repairs and replacements, and increased wear on the system.
By only flushing toilet paper and human waste, residents help protect their own plumbing, keep the District’s wastewater system operating efficiently, and help control long-term costs for the community.