What NOT to Flush

Don’t Treat Your Toilet Like a Trash Can

It’s tempting to flush unwanted items. However, your toilet isn’t a garbage disposal. Flushing the wrong things down the toilet can clog up your home plumbing, back up the municipal sanitary sewer system, damage expensive equipment at the wastewater treatment plant, and even put workers in danger.

The Golden Rule of Flushing

There are only THREE things you should flush:

Human waste
Toilet paper
Wastewater

Flush nothing else. Not even flushable wipes.

The No-Flush List

Before you flush it, check it against this list:

Wet Wipes (baby wipes, makeup wipes, disinfecting wipes—even if labeled “flushable”)
Paper Towels & Facial Tissues
Paper
Feminine Hygiene Products & Condoms
Diapers (cloth or disposable)
Dental Floss
Cotton Balls & Swabs
Bandaids
Hair & Nail Clippings
Cat Litter
Cigarette Butts & Chewing Gum
Food Scraps, Coffee Grounds, Grease
Plastic Anything – Including Wrappers & Packaging
Cosmetics
Paint, Bleach, Cleaners, Pharmaceuticals
Fish, Snakes, or Little Critters
Paint/Sealants/Thinners
Pharmaceuticals
Poisons/Hazardous Waste
Toilet Seat Covers

The Dangers of Flushing the Wrong Items

Clogged Pumps & Pipes
Expensive Equipment Repairs
Sewer Backups & Overflows
More Labor And Cost To Fix Problems
Risky And Unpleasant Clean-Up For Utility Workers

PLEASE:
No Wipes in the Pipes

Wipes are the worst offenders. They don’t break down like toilet paper and can cause major damage. The optimal method for disposing of so-called flushable wipes is to put them in the trash.

Be the Solution, Not the Problem

Let’s work together to keep pipes clear, systems running smoothly, and the environment healthy. When in doubt—don’t flush it out.

Join Us in Protecting Our Water, Preserving Our Future

Let’s work together to build a cleaner, healthier future for our communities and our environment. We are here to answer your questions and provide support.