Full Notification

Residents are encouraged to follow the Centers for Disease Control recommendations to clean surfaces with disinfecting wipes to reduce the spread of COVID-19. However, residents are reminded NOT to flush disinfecting wipes, paper towels and similar items down the toilet—they must be placed in trash cans.

Flushing these products down toilets will clog sewers and cause backups and overflows at wastewater treatment facilities, creating an additional public health risk in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic. Even wipes labeled “flushable” will clog pipes and interfere with sewage collection and treatment throughout the state. The wipes and paper towels do not break down like toilet paper, and therefore clog systems very quickly.

Wipes are among the leading cause of sewer system backups, impacting sewer system and treatment plant pumps and treatment systems. Many such spills wind up in our water supply causing a broad range of impacts on public health and the environment.

Residents not connected to public sewers should never flush these products down toilets as they can cause clogs and damage to the septic system. Septic repairs can be costly!

We appreciate your consideration and cooperation.