09/02/2026
Wastewater Wednesday!
Ever wonder what happens when things that shouldn’t be flushed make their way into our wastewater system?
Our wastewater treatment plant staff regularly deal with pumps that become “ragged up”, meaning they are clogged with wipes, rags, paper products, and other materials that do not belong in the sewer system.
One of the biggest culprits? “Flushable” wipes.
Despite being labeled flushable, many wipes do not break down like toilet paper. They can stay intact as they travel through the sewer system, getting caught in pumps and combining with other debris to create large, tangled masses that can clog equipment and cause costly repairs.
The only things that should be flushed down the toilet are human waste and toilet paper. Everything else including “flushable” wipes, baby wipes, paper towels, tissues, feminine hygiene products, cotton swabs, dental floss, diapers, grease, rags, and other household items- belongs in the trash.
And when these items make it into our wastewater system, someone has to remove them.
Our wastewater treatment plant employees often have to manually remove this debris from pumps and equipment to keep the system operating properly. It is dirty, difficult, and important work that most people never see.
We greatly appreciate our wastewater crew and all the work they do behind the scenes to keep our wastewater system running smoothly!
