The Engineering Division and Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District would like to remind the community that there is no such thing as a “flushable” wipe, even if the manufacturer has labeled it as such. Disinfectant disposable wipes, should not be flushed down the toilet. Instead, throw the wipes away after use. Many residents are using disinfectant disposable wipes to keep their homes clean in a time of COVID-19 home self-quarantine.
While many wipes indicate that they are “flushable,” and seem similar to toilet paper, they should not be flushed. These products do not break down in the sewer system and can cause blockages in your home’s sewer system and in the sanitary sewer system and at the wastewater treatment plant.
Items OK to flush:
- Human waste
- Toilet paper
Items NOT OK to flush:
- Paper towels
- Baby wipes
- “flushable” wipes, including personal wipes and disinfecting wipes
- Fats
- Oils
- Grease
- Dental floss
- Plastic wrappers
- Bandages
- Tampon applicators
- Cat litter
- Cat waste
- Toys
The Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District provides additional educational information about how to take care of your pipes. Visit the District’s website for more resources.
