MANATEE COUNTY, FL (March 23, 2020) – During a time when toilet paper can be hard to come by, Manatee County Utilities officials are reminding residents to avoid flushing anything except toilet paper. Wipes, tissues, paper towels and other products simply shouldn't go down the drain.
Even though labeled "flushable," wipes and other products don't break down in pipes and in the County's wastewater system. Once in the wastewater system, they can combine into massive clumps, clogging the pumps that move wastewater from a home to the treatment plant.
Clogged pumps can then failure, leading to expensive and time-consuming repairs and an increased chance of wastewater back-ups, either in homes or onto the street. Sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) can cause damage to property and harm humans, animals and the environment.
Blockages in pipes in the home and on the property can leave homeowners with very costly repairs too, especially older pipes that may have grease build-up, roots or other obstructions already present.
By throwing wipes and other materials in the trash, you can prevent clogged pipes and full septic tanks, help the system work with maximum efficiency, and lower costs to you.
Utilities reminds Manatee County residents to never flush these items:
- Disinfecting/surface wipes
- Mop or “Swiffer” type refills
- Baby wipes
- Paper towels
- Jewelry wipes
- Pet care wipes
- Cosmetic wipes
- First Aid wipes
- Disposable diapers or diaper liners
- Bio-pads (nursing home, home health care, etc.)
- Cotton swabs
- Feminine hygiene products
- Toilet cleaning pads
- Any moist type towelettes
- Any consumer item that is not toilet paper
For more information on Manatee County Government, visit www.mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501. You can also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/manatee.county.fl and on Twitter, @ManateeGov.