The Public Works Unit would like to remind all residents and businesses that certain items must never be flushed into the sewer system. Materials that cause blockages and should not be flushed are:
Personal hygiene and care products
- Feminine products
- Cotton swabs and cotton balls
- Dental floss
Paper products
- Paper towels
- Facial tissues
- Napkins
Baby products
- Diapers
- Wipes (including those labeled “flushable”)
“Flushable” wipes
- These do not break down like toilet paper and can cause clogs
Hair
- Builds up over time and causes blockages
Fats, oils, and grease
- Solidify in pipes and lead to major blockages
Food and food waste
- Coffee grounds
- Pasta, rice, and other scraps
Cat litter
- Clumps and clogs pipes
- May contain harmful parasites
Medications and Pharmaceuticals
- Harm water systems and wildlife
- Dispose of safely following local guidelines
Hazardous materials
- Paints, chemicals, motor oil, pesticides
- Toxic and harmful to the environment
Other items
- Cigarette butts
- Condoms
- Bandages
These non‑flushable products should be disposed of in the garbage, not in the toilet.
Flushing these items can cause serious damage to sewage and pumping equipment, as well as costly repairs to a home’s plumbing system.
Recently, crews at the Turtle Bay pumping stations removed a large amount of inappropriate waste from the system. If such blockages lead to pump failure, emergency pumping may be required to prevent sewage backups into homes – a situation that can have devastating consequences.
All are asked to please do their part to protect the community’s infrastructure by disposing of non‑flushable items properly.
