Fairhope, Alabama
PRODUCTS MARKED "FLUSHABLE" ARE NOT
The city's Environmental Committee is asking residents to help prevent sewage overflows into creeks and waterways by being careful about what gets flushed down toilets: a large amount of flushed kitty litter caused a backup in the Quail Creek neighborhood recently; "cooking grease and rags" caused a lift station there to overflow up to 10K gallons of untreated sewage water into Steele Creek, according to a report submitted to ADEM.
When questioned about just what type of "rags" were being flushed, Operations Director Peterson said that was a catchall term used for a wide array of items, such as so-called "flushable" wipes, napkins, paper towels, sanitary napkins, et al. -- and that only very thin toilet paper is designed to be flushed so that it will disintegrate rapidly and not clog sewage pipes, pumps, or senors in the tanks.
Committee chairman Mike Shelton mentioned the 'Greener By the Yard' publication (click to download) as a way to educate the public about what not to flush and other committee members suggested other ways to get the message out (media outreach, social media, etc.).
Here is the full list provided by the city of what not to flush:
1. Do not pour fats, oils and grease from cooking down any drain. Greasy pots and pans should be wiped out with a paper towel then washed.
SLOW BUDGET APPROVAL HOLDING UP SEWAGE UPGRADES
Council liaison Conyers said "once we (city council) get the budget out of then way, then we will address infrastructure"-- but big-ticket items would be referred to the city's Financial Advisory Committee first to recommend financing methods (loans, bonds, etc.).
He added implementing the 'GMC' sewage engineering study (reline leaking pipes, new lift stations, etc.) was a high priority, for himself anyway; and said he did not know yet if additional personnel would be included to help monitor for overflows.
(This meeting was advertised for 3:30 but actually began at 3 PM, a technical violation of state public meeting law. )
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| Quail Creek Drive lift station overflowed |
PRODUCTS MARKED "FLUSHABLE" ARE NOT
The city's Environmental Committee is asking residents to help prevent sewage overflows into creeks and waterways by being careful about what gets flushed down toilets: a large amount of flushed kitty litter caused a backup in the Quail Creek neighborhood recently; "cooking grease and rags" caused a lift station there to overflow up to 10K gallons of untreated sewage water into Steele Creek, according to a report submitted to ADEM.
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| Peterson left; Conyers right |
Committee chairman Mike Shelton mentioned the 'Greener By the Yard' publication (click to download) as a way to educate the public about what not to flush and other committee members suggested other ways to get the message out (media outreach, social media, etc.).
Here is the full list provided by the city of what not to flush:
1. Do not pour fats, oils and grease from cooking down any drain. Greasy pots and pans should be wiped out with a paper towel then washed.
2. Do not pour sour milk down the drain. One liter of whole milk has
enough fat in it to cover the surface of an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
3. Do not use the toilet as a wastebasket or garbage can.
4. Do not flush medications of any kind down the toilet or pour down a drain.
5. Do not discard food scraps, tea leaves, coffee grounds or eggshells down the toilet or drain.
6. Do not flush razor blades, pharmaceutical products, cigarette butts, nail polish remover, toilet deodorant dispensers or other non-biodegradable products down the toilet.
7. Keep toys out of the toilet and sink drains.
8. Do not place jewelry and valuables on the edge of the basin or the sink. Once flushed down the toilet or dropped down the drain, valuable items are very difficult, if not impossible, to recover.
9. Do not flush diapers, sanitary napkins, tampons, condoms, convenience pads, surgical bandages, syringes, cotton tipped stems, panty hose or plastics and plastic film from personal hygiene items, including disposable diapers or baby wipes down the toilet.
10. Do not pour paint, engine oil, pesticides or chemicals down the sink, and don’t try to burn them. Some hazardous materials can corrode the sewer system, while others compromise the treatment process. In fact, dumping hazardous items in the sewer is illegal and could subject you to a fine. This isn’t just because of the threat of these hazards getting into the environment; but also because these chemicals pose a health threat to you and maintenance crews working in the sewers. Similarly, by throwing hazardous materials in the garbage, you are creating a risk for garbage collectors.
11. Do not pour flushable cat litter down a drain. Cat litter once introduced into the sewer system will swell and cause the pipe to clog.
Now, if you thought we listed some pretty absurd things, think about it. This list wouldn’t exist if someone hadn’t tried dumping any one of these items down the drain somewhere at some point in time!
3. Do not use the toilet as a wastebasket or garbage can.
4. Do not flush medications of any kind down the toilet or pour down a drain.
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| Shelton, center |
6. Do not flush razor blades, pharmaceutical products, cigarette butts, nail polish remover, toilet deodorant dispensers or other non-biodegradable products down the toilet.
7. Keep toys out of the toilet and sink drains.
8. Do not place jewelry and valuables on the edge of the basin or the sink. Once flushed down the toilet or dropped down the drain, valuable items are very difficult, if not impossible, to recover.
9. Do not flush diapers, sanitary napkins, tampons, condoms, convenience pads, surgical bandages, syringes, cotton tipped stems, panty hose or plastics and plastic film from personal hygiene items, including disposable diapers or baby wipes down the toilet.
10. Do not pour paint, engine oil, pesticides or chemicals down the sink, and don’t try to burn them. Some hazardous materials can corrode the sewer system, while others compromise the treatment process. In fact, dumping hazardous items in the sewer is illegal and could subject you to a fine. This isn’t just because of the threat of these hazards getting into the environment; but also because these chemicals pose a health threat to you and maintenance crews working in the sewers. Similarly, by throwing hazardous materials in the garbage, you are creating a risk for garbage collectors.
11. Do not pour flushable cat litter down a drain. Cat litter once introduced into the sewer system will swell and cause the pipe to clog.
Now, if you thought we listed some pretty absurd things, think about it. This list wouldn’t exist if someone hadn’t tried dumping any one of these items down the drain somewhere at some point in time!
SLOW BUDGET APPROVAL HOLDING UP SEWAGE UPGRADES
Council liaison Conyers said "once we (city council) get the budget out of then way, then we will address infrastructure"-- but big-ticket items would be referred to the city's Financial Advisory Committee first to recommend financing methods (loans, bonds, etc.).
He added implementing the 'GMC' sewage engineering study (reline leaking pipes, new lift stations, etc.) was a high priority, for himself anyway; and said he did not know yet if additional personnel would be included to help monitor for overflows.
(This meeting was advertised for 3:30 but actually began at 3 PM, a technical violation of state public meeting law. )
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