Many items we use on a daily basis cannot go down our toilets or drains. Several products, even those labelled “flushable” or “biodegradable” do not dissolve and putting them down the toilet or drain can cause:
- Expensive damage or blockages to your home plumbing, which could lead to basement flooding.
- Expensive damage to the Town’s sewer pipes located under the streets, which could lead to basement flooding.
- Expensive damage to wastewater treatment plants and septic beds.
- Harm to the environment and aquatic habitat in lakes, local streams and rivers.
To help keep sewage systems working well, reduce operational costs, and prevent sanitary sewer blockages and/or sewer service line blockages that can result in basement flooding, it’s important not to flush or put the following products down drains:
- Hygiene products (e.g. sanitary napkins/liners, tampons, condoms, wipes, cotton swabs, dental floss, diapers and rags).
- Fats, oils and cooking grease.
- Medication (e.g. pills or liquid).
- Household hazardous waste (e.g. paints, pesticides, cleaning products).
- Car and garage products (e.g. motor oil, antifreeze).
Town of Orangeville: #gettheFOGout
The Town of Orangeville created #gettheFOGout campaign to help the community understand the impact of washing fats, oils, greases (FOG), and wipes down drains and toilets.
