Protect your sewer lines and septic tanks: 10 items you should never flush

Posted 11/4/21

None of these items should ever be poured down a drain, dumped into a storm …

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Protect your sewer lines and septic tanks: 10 items you should never flush

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The Village of Indiantown Wastewater and Utilities Department shared this list of items that should never be flushed.

None of these items should ever be poured down a drain, dumped into a storm sewer or a sanitary sewer. You can help protect the environment, wastewater treatment equipment and the people who operate the treatment facilities by doing your part to dispose of your waste properly. So remember to reduce, reuse, and recycle whenever possible.

Ten items you should NEVER flush:

  1.  HAIR - hair clogs showers, sinks, and toilets by forming into giant clumps and creating massive blockages in pipes, plumbing, and sewers.
  2.  DENTAL FLOSS - It's not biodegradable and similar to hair, eventually tangles together into clumps and clogs pipes.
  3.  FAT, OILS & GREASE - They may go in as liquid but they cool, harden, and build up on the sides of your pipes making the opening smaller and smaller.
  4. BAND AIDS - They are not biodegradable, even the felt ones, so they belong in the trash. 
  5. PAPER TOWELS - The only type of paper that should be flushed down the toilet is toilet paper. (If you have a septic tank, make sure to buy toilet paper marked 'septic tank safe.')
  6. MEDICATION*- The water in your toilet is water that ends up in our rivers, lakes, and oceans. Old, expired, and unused medications will contaminate the water. (Most law enforcement agencies have programs for safely disposing of old pharmaceuticals. Check with your local sheriff's office or police department.)
  7.   DISPOSABLE WIPES - While they may be called disposable they are NOT flushable, even the ones that claim you can flush them. They cause chaos in sewer and septic systems.
  8. CONTRACEPTIVES AND PROPHYLACTICS - Also not biodegradable. They will clog pipes and drains so throw them in the trash.
  9. KITTY LITTER - Dispose kitty litter in the trash. The litter will clump and harden if poured down the drain.
  10. FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS - They are notorious for clogging pipes, pumps, and drains.
wastewater treatment, environment, Indiantown

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