Collingwood’s wastewater system is being clogged up because people are flushing paper products that aren’t toilet paper.
The town is reminding residents, no matter what the packaging may say, wipes, paper towels, and other things are not flushable.
Toilet paper is the only thing you should be flushing.
“Since the COVID-19 pandemic … our wastewater treatment operators have noticed single-use wipes, paper towels, gloves, and other items in the sanitary system,” states a notice on the town’s website.
These items don’t break down, even if the wipes are advertised as “flushable.” Instead, they get stuck in the equipment and can cause damage to the town’s infrastructure.
In order to deal with clogs, the town’s wastewater treatment operators have to shut down the equipment, clean, repair, and replace it.
“This takes a lot of time, taking operators away from other essential duties and creates an added financial burden to the town,” states the town’s notice. “This is not just the town’s problem; these same items can clog the plumbing in your home, requiring expensive repairs.”
Gloves and wipes should go in the garbage. Paper towels, fats, oils, and grease can go in the green bin, they cannot go down any drains.
The toilet is for number one, number two, and toilet paper only.
