Don't Flush That!
November 13, 2019 | Arkansas Today
Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority
Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority is committed to reclaiming and treating water to ensure it is safe to return to the environment. Many items are frequently flushed or poured down the drain and they harm our shared sewer system. When these 'Unflushables' enter our system, they affect all ratepayers, even those doing their part to maintain the system. Some items can be hazardous and may end up in our local waterways. These materials can also cause backups into your home, sewer releases into the environment, and can impact the cost of maintaining the system. You may be surprised by the items that can cause damage to not only your plumbing, but our environment.
It’s time to do your part to prevent clogs, backups, and other costly repairs that affect our shared system and your home. It’s simple –Remember to only flush the 3 Ps – Pee, Poop and Paper- toilet paper that is! Check out the ‘Unflushables’ below so the next time you see someone flushing these items you can remind them, “Don’t Flush That!”
Toilet paper is the only item other than pee and poop that can breakdown in our sewer system. Anything else can hurt the environment and cause costly damages. The average cost to clean a drain is between $160 and $450. Don’t take these chances with your drains! DON’T FLUSH THAT!
Flushing or pouring medicine down the drain negatively affects the environment and aquatic life. Some contain harsh chemicals that can contaminate our drinking water and prevent the reproduction and growth of fish. DON’T FLUSH THAT! You can safely dispose of prescriptions and other medications at a drug take back site. Visit ARTakeBack.org to find a local drop-off location near you.
Don’t be fooled by the “flushable” tagline. Wipes never breakdown in the sewer system which can lead to clogs, damaged pipes, and overflowing toilets and sinks. Wipes can entangle and create blockages when mixed with other unflushable items. Do your part to protect your pipes and our shared system and avoid costly repairs. DON’T FLUSH THAT!
Tampons, pads and condoms never break down in the sewer system. They can cause clogs and backflow into your home. This contributes about $46 billion to America’s public wastewater treatment process each year. Once screened out, non-degradable items are sent to the landfill—where they would have ended up anyway had you just thrown them away!
Diapers are flushed more often than you think. They expand in water, which can clog your home’s toilet and block city sewage pipes. DON’T FLUSH THAT! Diapers should always be thrown in the trash. Practicing this instead of flushing will not only save your drain, but also protect sanitation workers from possible health hazards caused by human waste.
Hair is actually one of the leading causes of clogged pipes. It can easily cluster in main sewer lines and catch other items which can cause clogs over time. DON’T FLUSH THAT! Invest in a hair catcher or drain protector to keep hair from clogging your drain. It’s a small investment to protect your drain and our shared system.
Done with your floss? DON’T FLUSH THAT! Throw it away instead. Floss wraps around other waste items causing clumps in the sewage system which leads to clogs and expensive repairs. The average cost to clean a drain is between $160 and $450. Unclogging a sink or bathtub could cost from $110 to $215. These costs could add up quickly if preventative measures aren’t taken.
Towels create clogs that cause backflow into your home. They will never break down or dissolve like tissue paper. DON’T FLUSH THAT! You can repurpose or recycle your old towels instead of flushing them. Use them as cleaning rags, make them chew toys for your dog, or donate them to animal shelters.
Syringes should always be safely placed into biohazardous containers or trash cans at home. DON’T FLUSH THAT! Flushing them can put sewage workers and others at risk of being harmed. As a ratepayer, this affects you because continued use of our sewer system as a trash can contribute to system failures, added stress and wear, and increased operation and maintenance costs.
Keep an eye on your kids in the restroom. Toys can damage pipes and create clogs in the system. Plus your child may lose a favorite toy that can’t be replaced. DON’T FLUSH THAT! Make sure to keep your lid down and even invest in lid locks to keep you child from accidentally flushing their favorite toy.
Hey parents and teachers, be sure your little ones are able to identify what should and should not go down the drain! Download this activity so they can help Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority protect our sewer system, our environment and our One Water.
OTHER RESOURCES
Check out other ways you can do your part and remember to tell friends and family 'Don’t Flush That!' if it doesn't belong in our drains!
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LRWRA understands that water is vital for the health and safety of communities and ensures a safe and clean process when water is disposed from homes, businesses and the streets.