What wipes (and other unflushables) do to pipes

Sept. 12, 2016 12:00 a.m.

​Clogged sewage pipes? Not a pretty picture. Residents may not be aware that there are many things that should not be flushed down the toilet and the consequences of doing so. The City of Vaughan’s sanitary sewer system is designed to dispose of human waste, toilet paper and wastewater only. Flushing anything else may cause damage to household plumbing.

There are a number of items that should not be flushed:

  • Wipes and baby wipes, including ones labelled “flushable” – these don’t break down as easily as toilet paper does
  • Personal hygiene items, such as feminine hygiene products, dental floss, paper towels, facial tissues and cotton balls or swabs
  • Fats, oils and grease, which are the by-products of cooking
  • Food scraps and waste
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Paints, cleaning products and other household hazardous waste

When flushed down the toilet, these items can clump and bind together causing blockages in household pipes and in the City’s sewer system. Clogged pipes can lead to basement flooding, damage wastewater treatment plants and cause harm to aquatic habitat.

For more information, please visit vaughan.ca/wastewater or read the What Not to Flush infographic.

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