What Not To Flush and Backflow

What Not to Flush

Important: Just because it says “flushable” doesn’t mean it’s true. Many items can cause clogs, sewer backups and overflows that may damage property & the environment. The City maintains & clears City lines up to the curb. Homeowners are responsible for blockages and clogs at their own residence to the curb.

To help prevent clogs and backflow issues at home or in City sewer lines, don’t flush anything except toilet paper and human waste. Here are some items you should never flush down a toilet or drain (dispose of these items in the trash or recycling where accepted instead):

Diapers, adult protective underwear, (cloth, disposable or “flushable”)
Sanitary napkins, tampons & applicators, condoms & non-organic material
Tissues, napkins, paper towels, baby wipes, disinfectant wipes, moist wipes or scrub pads
Clothing, wash cloths, towels or other clothing
Dental floss, toothpaste, medicine or syringes
Egg shells, nutshells, & coffee grounds
Fats, oils, and greases
Food items containing seeds & peelings
Plastic of any kind
Cans, bottles, bricks, glass, wood

What is Backflow?

Backflow is the reversal of flow of a non-potable water supply into the piping of a public potable water supply which occurs when the conditions inside of the public water system change, causing the water to flow in the opposite direction. Backflow can easily cause potable water to become contaminated and polluted, making it unsafe for human consumption.

To Help Prevent Backflow, keep your pipes clean.
Don’t:

Submerge hoses in buckets, pools, tanks, sinks or ponds
Use spray attachments without backflow prevention device
Connect waste pipes from water softeners or other treatment systems to the sewer or submerged drain pipes
Use a hose to unplug blocked toilets or sewers

Do:

Keep the ends of hoses clear of all possible contaminants
Install hose bib type vacuum breakers
Install approved backflow prevention assembly on underground lawn irrigation system (plumbing permit required).
Educate others on the importance of Backflow Prevention