What Not to Flush or Pour Down the Drain

Damage or blockages to your home plumbing, which could lead to basement flooding.
Damage to the municipal sewer pipes located under the streets, which could lead to basement flooding.
Damage to wastewater treatment plants.
Harm to the environment and aquatic habitat in the lake, local streams and rivers.

To help keep the entire sewage system working well and prevent sanitary sewer blockages and/or sewer service line blockages that can result in basement flooding, it’s important not to flush or put the following products down drains:

Hygiene products (e.g. sanitary napkins/liners, tampons, condoms, wipes, cotton swabs, dental floss, diapers and rags).
Fats, oils and cooking grease.
Medication (e.g. pills or liquid).
Household hazardous waste (e.g. paints, pesticides, cleaning products).
Car and garage products (e.g. motor oil, antifreeze).

View the accordions below for a detailed list of what not to flush and instructions on how to properly dispose of the material.

Hygiene Products

Below are the top hygiene items that should not be flushed and disposed on in the garbage:

Wipes of any kind (e.g. bathroom, baby and cleaning wipes)
Even those that say “flushable” and “biodegradable” can cause problems

Tampons and sanitary napkins/liners

Condoms

Cotton swabs

Dental floss

Facial tissue

Paper towel

Fat, Grease and Oil

When fats, oils, and grease are washed down the sink or toilet into the plumbing system, they cool, harden and stick to the inside of sewer pipes. Over time, the grease will build up and can block the entire pipe – both on your property and on Municipal property.

Where fat, oil & grease can be found

meats and bacon drippings
lards, shortening, cooking oil, butter and margarine
food scraps and baking goods
sauces, salad dressings and gravy
dairy products (milk and cream)
soups
sandwich spreads

What can you do to help prevent sewer system blockages

Never pour grease down sink drains or into toilets, as it can cause sewer backups in your home and neighbourhood.
Do leave it to harden or saturate with a paper towel and then place in the garbage.
Do put baskets/strainers into sink drains to catch food scraps and other solids. Empty the drain basket/strainer into the garbage or composter for disposal.
Take large amounts of cooking oil/grease to ____________________________________

Medication

As a result of better measurement instruments and techniques, traces of pharmaceuticals are being detected in the environment. One way this is happening is by consumers flushing medication, such as pills and liquids, down the toilet or sink. This can harm the environment and aquatic wildlife.

Unused medication should be returned to your local pharmacy for proper disposal.

Household Hazardous Waste

The following household hazardous waste should never be flushed down the drain. :

Car and garage products (i.e. antifreeze, motor oil, window washer fluid).
Household cleaning products (i.e. cleaners, bleach, disinfectants).
Paints (including any solvent, remover or glue).
Personal care products (i.e. nail polish remover, perfumes, aftershave).
Pesticides and garden products.

What Not to Flush Down the Drain

What Not to Flush or Pour Down the Drain

Where fat, oil & grease can be found

What can you do to help prevent sewer system blockages

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