Utilities & Environment Line of Business

How To Avoid Sewer Backups

The most common complaint made to the Utilities Division about the sewer system is that of sewer backups. Coincidently, most backups may be prevented by not flushing certain materials down the customer's toilets and sinks. The following items, if flushed, may cause an immediate backup. Therefore, DO NOT FLUSH THESE ITEMS.

• Excessively large quantities of toilet paper,
  
• Kitchen towels - they do not dissolve in water like toilet paper,
  
• Feminine napkins, tampons, and plastic applicators,
  
• Diapers,
  
• Clothing - socks, underwear or other clothing,
  
• Any large items which can get wedged in the pipes,
  
• Substances which swell with water - rice, oatmeal, cereals, and fiber additives containing Psyllium, and
  
• Sponges.

Although the list above lists some of the materials that may cause a sewer backup immediately, some materials will gradually reduce the service quality of your sewer system and will eventually lead to a sewer backup. Therefore, DO NOT flush the following items.

• Live seeds, beans, and peas - these seeds can sprout and begin to grow in the lines,
  
• Grease, fats, oils - these substances cause a wax-like buildup which will reduce the diameter of pipes, clog lift station pumps, and lead to sewer backups. Extra care should be taken to avoid disposing of them into the sewer system. These materials should be containerized and disposed of with your garbage,
  
• Fibrous materials - cotton balls, bandages, hair, rags, paper, cigarette butts - these substances can disintegrate, releasing individual fibers which snag in the lines and actually weave ropes or tangled masses, and
  
• Plastic, metal, or other non-soluble objects, which will act as anchors for long fibers.

Finally, NEVER flush flammable liquids, toxic chemicals, hypodermic needles or other products, which may endanger public health or sewer workers.