FDL DPW Reminds Residents Of What Can Be Flushed, And What Can’t

The City of FDL Department of Public Works would like remind residents the toilet is not a garbage can. We use it every day, but it is not a black hole; just dump, flush, and it is gone – out of sight, out of mind. 

Surprisingly, not everyone knows what seemingly harmless items do not belong in the toilet. The Fond du Lac Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery Facility is working hard to improve water quality by informing residents and businesses of ways to reduce water pollution and sewer backups.

• Wipes Clog Pipes – Whether used for household cleaning or hygiene, wipes, even those labeled as “flushable” should NEVER be flushed.  Unlike toilet paper, designed to easily break apart and dissolve after flushed, wipes do not.  Wipes bind together, which can clog pipes and lead to backups in your home and in the sanitary sewer system.  Flushing wipes could mean costly repairs to your home plumbing and wastewater treatment plant. 
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• Never Flush These Items – Baby or Personal Wipes, Feminine Hygiene Products, Paper Toweling/Napkins, Dental Floss, Cotton Swabs, Disposable Diapers, Prescription Drugs, Bandages, Any Hazardous Waste, Cooking Grease or Food, or Tobacco Products.

Impact to Your Sewer System and Our Sewer System – Many times these items do not make it past the lateral connection from your home to the sewer main.  They can build up and form a clog.  If they do enter the sewer system they can plug up and damage the pipes and pumps that convey sewage to our wastewater treatment plant, having the potential to cause overflows and basement backups that can be costly to repair for the homeowner and the wastewater treatment plant.