With the advent of so many household products being marketed as "flushable", the potential of using a toilet as trashcan has increased dramatically. While most items can indeed be "flushable" (including items we recover like cell phones, golf balls, keys and aquarium dwellers), they do pose issues with the pumps and equipment that are maintained by the utility. 

Pump clogs and the subsequent clean out is one of the most unpleasant jobs that one can imagine, BUT fortunately with your help they can be almost entirely avoided. 

Please remember that although there are many things that are truly "flushable", what they are not is degradable or pumpable.

There are only three things that should be flushed, everything else is just garbage and should be put there.

ELIMINATING FATS, OIL AND GREASE (FOG) FROM THE COLLECTION SYSTEM

Customers typically don't focus much on what's being sent down the drain, until it's too late. Fats, oil and grease or FOG are materials that pose a long term issue to the health and functionality of private sewer laterals and Utility infrastructure. The Utility is making a push to educate customers on the results these items can have to eliminate FOG all together.

Check out the Tech Talk article in the Spring 2017 Commission Connection for more information and for ways you can help protect the system from costly repairs.

WATER SOFTENER REBATE PROGRAM

The Utility Commission is offering a $100 rebate to customers who change to an on demand regenerating water softener. Find out more about the rebate program and how you can eliminate chlorides from the collection system and how it will help to protect our groundwater resources. Check back for more information in an article on chlorides that will be in our Summer '17 Commission Connection Newsletter.