No Wipes In Pipes

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Help keep our sewer pipes clean and clear!


 

Did you know only toilet paper and human waste can be flushed down the toilet? 

It may seem okay to flush “flushable” wipes, paper towels, or facial tissues down the toilet, but these items end up creating major problems.  

The effect is two-fold: 1) creating a clog in the septic and drain pipe in one’s home, and 2) creating clogs in pipes and pumping stations. Both can result in costly repairs for homeowners and for West Sacramento Public Works. Wipes are not intended to be flushed and disposing them properly in the trash helps immensely in keeping sewer pipes working properly.  

Wipes together with fats, oil, and grease (FOG) is a major cause of sewer backups. If you do experience issues, call the 24-hour West Sacramento Dispatch line at (916) 372-3375 or report it through West Sac Connect. 

For more information check out the Sacramento Area Sanitation Districts website. No Wipes In The Pipes - Sacramento Area Sewer District (sacsewer.com)  

Common items that are not flushable:

  

How to help keep City pipes clear and functional
Simply remember to dispose of wipes in the trash and that toilet paper is the only safe material to flush.

Why aren't wipes flushable?

While toilet paper disintegrates almost immediately upon moisture, wet wipes–because they’re a nonwoven material–are much more resilient, tending to keep their form well after being flushed.  These wipes then accumulate and create blocks at a resident’s home sewer system or farther down the line.  

Wipes also often get clotted with improperly disposed oil and other cooking fats, creating large masses that can be very difficult to remove.