Inspector's Insight

Help us, help you

Things that are ok to put down the drain or toilet

• Normal drainage from bathing, dishwashing, and laundry
• Human waste and toilet paper

Things not to put down the drain or toilet

• Sanitary wipes- regardless of what the packaging says, these will not decompose in the sewer system, and will simply move down the pipe until they get hung up somewhere and cause a backup or equipment failure
• Feminine hygiene products- again, these may claim to be "flushable", but they do the same thing as sanitary wipes
• Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) - these materials turn sticky and solid when they cool down in the sewer, and block pipes and equipment
• Anything else that is not normal drainage, human waste, or toilet paper

Why do you care?

• Blockages and damage to equipment in the public sewer system cost all rate payers more money
• If a problem in the public sewer can be traced to a particular source, there can be enormous financial liability for the property owner/operator/resident
• Problems on the private side of the sewer system are entirely at the cost of the property owner or customer, and these costs can be huge

More on FOG (Fats, Oil, and Grease)

• Allow hot grease to cool and then scrape it into the garbage
• Scrape all cookware, serving dishes, and plates with a rubber scraper into the garbage before washing
• Chemical additives to treat grease buildup don't work
• Recycle cooking grease and oil whenever possible