Mainer’s, Don’t Flush These Things Down The Toilet!

Maine's Department of Environmental Protection is urging Mainer's to help keep sewage systems running well by not flushing the following products:

• Baby Wipes or cleaning wipes
• Paper towels
• Dental floss
• Tampons and sanitary products
• Cotton balls and swabs
• Cat litter
• Prescription drugs
• Over-the-counter medicines
• Cigarette butts

The DEP sent out a release stating these products do not break down like toilet paper and will clog the plumbing in your house, in your septic system or public sewer systems.

Ultimately, these products will clump up and could create bigger problems for the infrastructure of your waste system.

The Maine DEP is warning that there could be "substantial delays" if repair is needed for clogged sewers due to staffing shortages during the pandemic.

For more information contact Maine DEP Communications Director David Madore at david.madore@maine.gov or Director of the Bureau of Water Quality Brian Kavanah at brian.w.kavanah@maine.gov.