HomeownersUtilities Posted on: November 12, 2019 Let’s not have fastest fingers first when flushing things down the drain. Large or absorbent items (feminine hygiene products, paper towels, baby wipes, clothing, nylons etc.) should not be flushed down the toilet or drain because they can get stuck in the pipe and increase the risk of sewer backups. They can also increase the frequency of repairs which can increase sewer fees. Medical waste, including needles, should be placed in your black waste cart or taken to a pharmacy for disposal. When flushed down the drain, these items pose a safety hazard to staff who work on the sewer system. Protect the environment with these tips: Here are some tips to help you properly dispose of fats, oils and grease: Scrape food scraps into a green organics bin, compost bin. Pour any unused grease into steel cans, empty coffee can or milk carton – let it harden and throw in the trash. Wipe pots, pans and dishes with a dry paper towels before rinsing or washing them, and then throw paper towels in the garbage. Rinse dishes and pans with cold water before putting them into the dishwasher. Remember: Don’t pour grease down sink drains or toilets! Don’t run water over dishes, pans, fryers or griddles to wash oil and grease down the drain! Personal hygiene products Many items we use on a daily basis — such as personal hygiene products — cannot go down our drains. By flushing these materials, you can cause damage to the sewer system, and may potentially cause sewer backups in your home. Do not flush Personal care wipes/baby wipes Diapers Condoms Tampons, sanitary pads Cotton swabs Dental floss Facial tissue Hair dye Perfume and cologne Cosmetics, nail polish and remover Waxes Household hazardous waste Many items we use for general cleaning, home maintenance, gardening and automobile care can be dangerous if poured down our drains. These items contain toxic ingredients and should be used and disposed of with caution. Please do not pour any of these unused items down the drain or sewer, where they can enter source waters and be harmful for underwater vegetation and aquatic life. Did you know? The Alberta Capital Region Wastewater Commission operates the fourth largest treatment facility in Alberta serving over 200,000 residents in 13 municipalities of the Capital Region. Each household in the region generates about 350 litres of wastewater per person per day to be treated at our plant. In 2009 we treated over 27 billion litres of wastewater. We treat and disinfect the discharge from our facility to protect the downstream communities who use the river for their drinking water. Talk with members of your household to make sure they know what can be safely flushed. For more info on the dangers of flushing inappropriate items, visit THE CLOG.