Seattle Public Utilities is urging all residents, and users of Seattle toilets, to think twice before flushing anything but toilet paper and human waste.
Flushing anything foreign to the design of our sewer system – paper towels, facial tissue, or a cotton swab – can clog expensive equipment, and cause flooding and overflow of raw sewage into homes and public waterways. Major clogging problems occur at pump stations, which carry sewage form homes and businesses to treatment plants. It already costs $1 million each year to clean and maintain our pump stations.
In addition, sewage overflows can cost thousands of dollars in private property damages. Even products advertised as ‘flushable’ can cause problems in the sewer, and the entirely prohibited items include baby wipes, dental floss, condoms, feminine hygiene products, cat litter and even hair.
Save all of us the expense in the long run of a little convenience, or ignorance, now. Flush wisely, always.