Residents were being advised this week to pay extra attention to what they are flushing and should not flush anything other than toilet paper, whether for personal hygiene purposes or for wiping and cleaning surfaces. Blockages to sewer lines can cause backups in homes or businesses, officials cautioned.
Local officials say the following items should not be flushed: paper towels; napkins; wet wipes/baby wipes; or facial tissues.
As a general reminder, the following are do’s and don’ts for avoiding backups in local sewer lines:
- Do not flush wipes, gloves, towels, or other trash down the toilet, even if they are labeled flushable.
- Do not pour grease down kitchen sinks or toilets. Instead, put grease in a sealed, non-recyclable container and throw it out with regular garbage.
- Do not use the sink as a toilet or the toilet as a garbage disposal. Do reduce and re-use by using compostable or re-usable makeup applicators, such as cotton balls, and cleaning supplies, such as paper towels or rags.
- Do toss dirty makeup, cleaning or baby wipes, tampons, sanitary pads, and condoms into the trash.
- Do recycle finished toilet rolls, cardboard packaging from toothpaste and toothbrushes, and plastic packaging from shampoos and shower gels.
