Red Deer County has six different municipal sewer systems, and each one is designed to collect sanitary sewer from each property and transfer it to the eventual treatment facility. There are many misconceptions as to what is acceptable to be flushed down the toilet, but the only product that is specifically designed to break down and not cause issues is toilet paper. Repair and maintenance costs associated to clogged pipes and pumps can add up quite quickly and cost the municipality and the tax payer.
Is it Really Flushable?
There is no regulation in Canada that determines if an item is flushable or not. Just because the package says “flushable” doesn’t mean it is acceptable to do so. Many commonly used products such as baby wipes or other disposable wipes claim to be flushable on the packaging, but they do not break down in the wastewater system and often lead to clogs.
What to Flush:
What not to flush:
- Diapers (cloth, disposable, and “flushable”)
- Paper products (ie. tissues, paper towel and napkins)
- Q-tips, cotton balls and cotton swabs
- Wipes of any kind (ie. baby wipes, disinfectant wipes, moist wipes)
- Feminine hygiene products (sanitary napkins, tampons, condoms, or any non-organic material
- Wash cloths, towels, rags, clothing, swiffers (any cloth item) • Bandages and wrappings
- Toilet bowl scrub pads or disposable cleaning brushes
- Dental floss
- Hair from brushes
- Cigarette butts
- Cat litter
- Vitamins, medicines or other pharmaceuticals
- Food items containing seeds and peelings
- Vegetable and fruit scraps
- Egg shells, nutshells, and coffee grounds
- Sheet plastic, plastic of any kind
- Needles or other sharp objects
- Motor oil, Varsol and paint thinner
- Fats, oils, and grease
WHERE DO I DISPOSE OF THESE ITEMS? Please dispose of these materials in the garbage, Waste Management Facilities or the household hazardous waste building as shown on the County website.