The sanitary sewer system, also called the wastewater system, takes dirty water away from our homes when we flush the toilet, take a shower or send it down the drain. And when it comes to having dependable sewer services, prevention is key.

 

Sewer backups and service interruptions are expensive and impact your residents’ quality of life. Caring for sewer pipes is also important for keeping harmful bacteria and pollution out of local waterways. When the system clogs up, untreated sewage spills into yards and roads and drains into waterways through the storm drain system. This is not only bad for the environment, it is also dangerous for public health.

askHRgreen.org, the environmental education campaign of the 17 localities in the Hampton Roads region, can help you keep the wastewater flowing and out of waterways!  These easy tips will help you educate your residents about protecting their pipes and will help you cut back on unnecessary plumbing repairs.

Flush responsibly. Only your ‘personal contributions’ and toilet paper belong in the toilet. Disposable wipes, even those marketed as flushable, are a leading cause of sewer backups around the world. Other damaging products that belong in the trash include dental floss, cotton balls/swabs, feminine hygiene products, paper towels and cat litter.

Can the grease. When sent down the drain, fats, oil and grease solidify in pipes and form serious clogs. Used cooking grease should be poured into a heat safe can and allowed to cool. Once solidified, the grease can be safely tossed into the garbage.

Ditch the disposal. Garbage disposals send food particles into the sewer where they stick to pipe walls and contribute to clogged drains. Discouraging their use in rental properties is a simple way to reduce damage to your property’s plumbing.

Use a sink strainer. Mealtime leftovers don’t belong in the pipes. Food scraps cling to pipe walls and contribute to clogged drains and sewer backups. Food scraps should be caught with a sink strainer and tossed into the garbage or compost bin.

Contact your local FOG Program. Most sanitary sewer providers and many municipal governments operate FOG Programs to educate the public about proper use of the sanitary sewer system.  In Hampton Roads, you can connect with your FOG specialist by emailing us at hrgreen@hrpdcva.gov. At www.askhrgreen.org, at the bottom of their home page is a link to Media Toolkit where you can access a wealth of information in the forms of printable brochures, posters, radio spots, videos and much more.