The Clearwater Sewage Treatment Facility receives and processes millions of litres of waste water each year. Wastewater, or sewage, is water that has been used and discarded down any drain within our homes, such as dishwashers, washing machines, sinks, showers and toilets. This discarded waste water goes down our drains and travels through pipes to the Clearwater Sewage Treatment Facility.
At the Sewage Treatment Facility, the sewage is treated and after treatment infiltrates back into the water table.
Below are items that should never be flushed down toilets or poured down a drain:
Personal Hygiene Products
DO NOT FLUSH:
- Dental floss
- Personal care wipes/ baby wipes (even if they say “flushable” they can still cause problems)
- Diapers
- Condoms
- Cosmetics
- Cotton swabs
- Facial tissue (Kleenex)
- Tampons and applicators
- Sanitary pads
Pharmaceuticals
Traces of pharmaceuticals are being detected in the environment and in our water sources due to consumers throwing medications and other personal care products in the garbage, flushing them down the toilet or pouring down the sink.
Most pharmacies will take back unused portions of medications.
Household Hazardous Waste
Many items we use for cleaning, home maintenance, gardening and automobile care can be dangerous if poured down our drains.
DO NOT FLUSH:
- Anti-freeze
- Bleach
- Brake fluid
- Pesticides, Insecticides
- Motor oil
- Paint
- Solvents
Fats, Oils, and Grease
Fats, oils, and grease that are washed down the drain eventually cool, causing them harden and stick to the inside of pipes. This buildup over time can clog the pipes and cause sewage problems.
Pour excess fats, oils, and grease into a tin can and dispose of in the garbage.
HERE IS WHY YOU SHOULD NOT FLUSH items that do not belong in the sewer system – these are flushable wipes that have plugged up our sewer pipes.
