What Not to Flush
Flush only toilet paper and human waste.
Learn how to protect your low-pressure wastewater disposal system and gravity system(PDF, 3MB) to prevent your home's plumbing lines from clogging.
Do not flush or throw these items down the drain
- automotive fluid
- wipes of any kind, flushable and non-flushable
- bandages, wrappings
- cigarette butts
- coffee grounds
- condoms, contraceptives
- dental floss
- disposable diapers
- dryer sheets
- ear swabs, cotton balls
- excessive fats, oil, grease
- facial tissue, paper towels
- feminine hygiene products
- hair
- medication
- scrubbing pads
- pet waste, kitty litter
- paints, solvents, sealants, thinners
- poisons, hazardous waste
- plastic of any kind
- inorganic materials
- syringes, needles, sharps
F.O.G. (fats, oils and grease)
Learn about non‑flushable items and how fats, oil, and grease (FOG) create major problems in sewer systems.
When FOG cools in pipes, it hardens and forms blockages that trap wipes, medicine, plastics, and other items that should never be flushed. These clogs can back up wastewater, damage infrastructure, and prevent proper treatment and reuse.
Congealed masses of FOG and debris are commonly called “fatbergs,” named for their iceberg‑like appearance.