Think Before You Flush

Protect our water and environment, while preventing damage to your own pipes, by properly disposing of certain household items. Learn what not to flush.

Not all paper is created equal

Some things should not go down the toilet.  We tested to see what happens to flushable wipes, paper towel, toilet paper and tissue when they are left in water.  Watch to learn what paper products break down in water.

Products that are bad for your sewer pipes

• Dental floss.
  Dental floss can get wrapped around the backflow valve in the sanitary sewer pipe, resulting in raw sewage backing up into your home.
• "Flushable" baby wipes, cleaning wipes, disposable diapers and cotton swabs.
  These products are not "flushable" and can quickly clog up a sewer pipe.
• Cooking fats, oils and grease.
  Fats, oils and grease cannot be broken down by flushing with hot water and soap. They will clog your pipes.

Products that are bad for your local watershed

• Wastewater treatment facilities aren't designed to remove most medicines, personal care products or household hazardous wastes. Because of this, some products may get returned untreated into our lakes and rivers.
• Anything that is washed or poured into grates at the side of the street will wind up flowing through the storm water system into our lakes and rivers. Storm water doesn't receive any treatment.