Think twice before you flush!

Sewer Issues

The Municipality of the County of Inverness would like to remind their customers of the sewer systems to please refrain from dumping substances that are harmful to the Municipal infrastructure.  This includes, but is not limited to, ‘flushable’ wipes, grease/fats, tampons, condoms, dental floss, paper towel, hair and prescription medication.  These items clog the pumps in the sewage lift stations and the treatment equipment at the Sewer Treatment Plants.  The Municipality has had to pay for repairs and manpower to remove these items from the system.  Wipes that are marketed as ‘flushable’ do not break down in our system and in fact cause a significant amount of damage to the Municipal infrastructure.  The Municipality knows where the ‘problem spots’ are in the system for wipes and grease and are working to trace it back to the person/persons that are responsible.  An individual or business could be fined under the Municipal Sewer By-Law for introducing substances into the sewer system that do not belong or cause an issue with the operations.

What if the label says ‘flushable’?

Products that say they’re flushable – like tampons and wipes – may make it down your toilet, but they may not make it through the sewer.  There are currently no regulations in Canada to specify which products can be labelled “flushable”.  Cities and Municipalities around the world are developing standards to more accurately label whether or not products are truly flushable.  For now, please put them in your trash.

What can be flushed?

The only things that are okay to flush down the toilet are toilet paper, poo and pee.