Help Stop Clogging Pipes - Don't Flush Wipes!

The label might say "flushable" but disposable wipes are clogging our sewer lines and damaging pumps and other equipment.  Not only are these problems expensive to fix, but they can also cause raw sewage overflows into homes, businesses and local waterways.

Don't Flush Trouble - These Items Belong in the Trash Can!

• Band-aids and bandage wrappers

• Cleaning wipes

• Condoms

• Cotton balls, swabs and pads

• Dental floss and teeth whitening strips

• Disposable diapers, nursing pads and baby wipes

• Facial wipes

• Hair

• Kitty Litter

• Mini and maxi pads

• Tampons and applicators

• Expired or unused prescription or over-the-counter medications (return these to the pharmacy for proper disposal)

• Paint and other chemicals (take to a proper disposal facility, for example the Cowichan Valley Return-It Depot, or Bings Creek)

Flushing the wrong things down the toilet damages your household plumbing, your environment and the wastewater treatment system. If it isn't biodegradable, put it in the trash instead of the toilet.

Grease and Leftover Food

Grease sticks to household and sewage pipes. Over time, grease build-up will block the entire pipe and result in raw sewage backing up into your home or overflowing into the street or waterway.  Follow these four simple steps to keep things running smoothly.

• Don't put produce stickers down the drain.

• Don't put grease, fats, or oil of any type down your drain or garbage disposal.

• Do use baskets or strainers in sink drains to catch food scraps and other solids and empty them into the trash or compost them.

• Do scrape grease and food scraps from cooking surfaces into a container and put in the trash can or compost.

For more information, including how to get rid of things you no longer want or need, please contact:

Engineering Department

Phone:  250-746-3130