Please Don't Flush Adult Wipes

The City of Clearwater is asking residents not to flush adult personal care wipes down the toilet, even if the package says they are "flushable" or "septic-safe."

Unlike toilet paper, adult wipes do not break down in water. Instead, they stay intact and can clog your home's plumbing and the City's sewer system.

When wipes enter the sewer system, they can become tangled together and combine with grease, fats, and other debris to create large blockages. These blockages can damage pumps, cause sewer backups, and require costly repairs. Those repair costs are ultimately paid by utility customers.

What Should Be Flushed?

Only three things should ever be flushed:

• Human waste
• Toilet paper

Everything else should go in the trash, including:

• Adult wipes
• Baby wipes
• Cleaning wipes
• Paper towels
• Tissues
• Cotton swabs
• Feminine hygiene products
• Diapers
• Grease and cooking oil

If you use adult wipes, simply throw them away in a bathroom trash can. A trash can with a lid or a small disposable bag can help control odors.

By throwing wipes in the trash instead of flushing them, you can help prevent sewer backups, reduce repair costs, and keep Clearwater's sewer system working properly.

Thank you for helping protect our community's sewer system.