What Not to Flush
Good plumbing etiquette saves our pipes! So what can be flushed? Just the Three Ps:
That's it!
Wipes are NOT Flushable
Let’s clear up the misconception. Wipes and other synthetic items don’t disappear when they leave your toilet bowl. They can get stuck in your pipes, break City equipment and block sewer lines, which cause yucky sewer overflows for you and your neighbors. Throw them away, instead.
Prevention is Key
Utilities across the country are seeing an increase in sewer blockages, both on the customer side and in the main lines. A blocked sewer can lead to property damage and extra expenses for repairs. Only flushing the three Ps makes a big difference!
Throw Fats, Oils and Grease in the Trash
Over time, fats, oils and grease (FOG) can clog the pipes in your home and in our wastewater system. When FOG goes down a sink drain, it is not broken down by the garbage disposal. Rather, it cools in the wastewater system and sticks to the inside of the pipes, creating FOG buildup.
This buildup can lead to sewer blockages that send untreated wastewater backwards – out of manholes or back into your house or your neighbor's house. If FOG mixes with other items, such as wipes, cotton swabs or dental floss, blockages can occur even faster. Beyond the mess, sewer backups can lead to property damage, extra expenses for repair and environmental damage. You can help prevent FOG from causing backups and harming our sewer system by disposing of your used food waste responsibly. Remember, FOG clogs.
Common Sources of FOG
- Meats (fish, poultry skin, bacon grease)
- Cooking agents (butter, cooking oil, shortening, lard)
- Dairy products (milk, cream, ice cream, sour cream)
- Gravy, salad dressing and mayonnaise
- Peanut butter and frosting
- Used grease from turkey fryers, especially common during the holiday season
Keep Your Drains FOG-Free
Pour cooled FOG into a sealable container and put it in the trash or take it to an oil recycling center. Before you wash your dishes, scrape FOG food scraps into the trash or compost, if appropriate. Soak up remaining FOG with paper towels and put them in the garbage. Use sink strainers to catch food waste.
If You Have a Plumbing Backup
Call a plumber so repairs can be made as quickly as possible. You should also call Fort Collins Utilities at 970-221-6700 to report the issue and your insurance company for further direction. Prompt cleanup can lessen overall costs and resulting damage. If the City of Fort Collins is found to be legally responsible, the customer will be reimbursed for the reasonable costs of the initial cleanup. For more information, call 970-221-6233.
Tips For Water Efficient Fixtures
Many homes are using water efficient faucets in kitchens and bathrooms. If your home is equipped with these, you’re using less water – great job! It’s important to be aware that keeping fats, oils and grease (FOG) out of your plumbing is key to ensuring your sewer line and our community’s wastewater system operates properly. If you have FOG in your kitchen equipment after cooking, drain the FOG into a jar and toss it, or scrape it into the trash, before cleaning in the sink.
Water efficient toilets are better for the environment and your pocketbook, saving you money on your water and wastewater bill. In fact, to encourage more residents to upgrade to a toilet that uses less water, Fort Collins Utilities offers rebates for qualifying models, in addition to other fixtures. Saving water improves our community's resilience to drought and other factors.
Only flush the three Ps (pee, poo, and toilet paper) to ensure continued performance in your sewer line and our community's wastewater system. High-efficiency fixtures, such as toilets, mean less water flows to the sewer. Adopting good disposal practices is key to minimizing blockages and other issues.