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CITY OF WHITEFISH To Flush or Not to Flush Brochure SEWER BACK-UP PREVENTION INFORMATION Roots Shrub and tree roots seeking moisture will enter cracks in the sewer line and, as they grow, will cause signifi- cant damage to the pipe. The damaged sewer line will allow debris to build up causing a back-up. Replacing existing lines with new plastic pipe and not planting trees or shrubs near sewer lines are helpful in preventing roots from entering sewer lines. Paper Products They become lodged in portions of the lines where there is an accumulation of any type of debris, and dam up the line, causing a sewer back-up. These products should also be dis- posed of in a garbage can. Sewer Odors If sewer odors are present inside the house, check the “P-trap” under each drain to ensure that the trap has water in it to prevent odors from escaping the system. Floor drains and sinks that are only used occasionally may need to be flushed with water periodically to keep the “p-trap” filled. Sewer vents located on the roof should be inspected periodically and kept clear of bird nests, leaves and debris to allow odors to escape. City of Whitefish Public Works Department PO Box 158 * 418 E. 2nd Street Whitefish, MT 59937 Phone: [PHONE REDACTED] Fax: [PHONE REDACTED] Website: www.whitefish.govoffice.com Trash It, Don’t flush It! ---PAGE BREAK--- Do Flush Toilet Paper Human Waste Don’t Flush Disposable diapers, baby wipes and nursing pads Facial wipes Dental Floss and teeth whitening strips Paper Towels Cotton Balls and swabs Band-aids and bandage wrappers Syringes or Needles Gum Feminine Products Condoms Paper towels, rags Disinfectant wipes, dusting pads/cleaning wipes of any kind Kitty litter/pet waste Bags or wrappers Hair, hair ties and rubber bands Paint, solvents, nail polish, polish remover Flammable or other toxic chemicals Prescription or over-the-counter medica- tions Toilet bowl scrub pads Small animals; fish, snakes, hamsters, mice etc. Look! Mr. Plumber found a baby wipe after is has been flushed, gone through the collection system, and pulled from a pump station. Our toilets are designed for water, human waste and toilet paper— nothing else! Other items flushed down the toilet can cause blockages and damage to the sewer system. Keep your sewer system healthy! Helping to prevent clogged drains and backups is easy... Just because the packaging on the product says it is “disposable” does not mean it is “flushable.”