Maintaining a home comes with its fair share of expenses, but some costs can be avoided with simple, responsible habits. Consider this —repairing damage to your home plumbing system due to clogs can range from $300 to $450 on average. If severe enough to require a whole house being re-piped, be prepared for costs ranging from $4,000 to $15,000. These figures underscore the financial impact of improper flushing practices — or as we call them, toilet crimes — which extend beyond individual households to affect entire communities.
Understanding the Problem
Shockingly, a recent sewage collection study reveals that 99% of materials causing sewage clogs should never have been flushed in the first place. These non-flushable items include wipes labeled with the “Do Not Flush” symbol (baby wipes, cleaning wipes, makeup removal wipes), paper towels, feminine hygiene products, and other miscellaneous items like small toys, hair bands, and cloth towels. All toilet crimes that could be avoided. Across the United States, local public agencies spend over $440 million annually repairing wastewater treatment equipment caused by improper flushing of wipes clearly labeled “Do Not Flush.”.
Why Flushing Isn’t Foolproof
Many mistakenly assume that if something can fit down a toilet, it’s OK to flush. However, one too many non-flushable items sent down the drain can add up to costly problems – in your home and community. Flushable items are made to disperse in water so that they do not contribute to clogs. However, non-flushable products like baby wipes, home cleaning wipes, period products, and paper towels are designed differently and do not break down when flushed down the toilet. And it’s not just solid materials that cause issues – liquids can be problematic too. Pouring fats, oils, and grease (FOG) down drains may seem harmless initially, but as they cool, they solidify and combine with trash and other non-flushable items to create cement-like clogs called fatbergs. These clogs not only damage household plumbing but also strain municipal sewer systems, contributing to community-wide maintenance costs.
Responsible Disposal: Just #FlushSmart
How can you prevent these costly toilet crimes in your home and community? Get in the habit of looking for the “Do Not Flush” symbol on your wet wipes packaging. If you see the symbol on the front of the package, always throw those wipes in the trash and never flush them down the toilet. Be sure to keep a trash can in all bathrooms for easy disposal. Finally, adopt a policy of “when in doubt, throw it out” to keep your pipes safe and clean.
Educational efforts are crucial in preventing plumbing mishaps. Homeowners can educate themselves and their families about proper disposal methods and the consequences of improper flushing habits. Simple awareness and responsible disposal practices can significantly reduce the likelihood of costly plumbing repairs and infrastructure maintenance in communities.
About Responsible Flushing Alliance
The Responsible Flushing Alliance (RFA) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization dedicated to consumer education focused on what should and should not to flush. RFA’s goal is to change consumer behavior to help reduce damage to our nation’s sewage systems caused by objects and materials not designed to be flushed.