Did you know?
Starting on December 31, 2023, companies that sell disposable wipes in Colorado will be required to label the packaging with 'Do Not Flush'.
Fort Collins Utilities, along with municipalities across Colorado, advocated for the bill. Utilities is hopeful this labeling requirement will help keep wipes out of pipes. Learn more below!
Good Plumbing Etiquette Saves Our Pipes#
Only flush the three Ps:
- Pee
- Poo
- Toilet paper
That's it!
Don't Flush 'Flushable' Wipes!#
Let’s clear up the misconception. Wipes and other synthetic items don’t disappear when they leave your toilet bowl. They can get stuck in your pipes, break City equipment and block sewer lines, which cause yucky sewer overflows for you and your neighbors. Throw them away, instead.
Commonly Flushed Items That Belong in the Trash#
Wipes (even flushable) Cotton swabs
Paper towels Hair
Menstrual products Dental floss
Trash Cotton balls
Condoms Makeup remover pads
Cigarette butts Facial tissues
Diapers Cat litter
Keep Fats, Oils and Grease Out of the Sink#
Because the pipes leaving our homes all lead to the same place, we need to be mindful of what we are putting down the sink, too. Fats, oils and grease (FOG) can clog the pipes in your home and in our wastewater system. When FOG goes down a sink drain, it is not broken down by the garbage disposal. Instead, it cools in the wastewater system and sticks to the inside of the pipes, creating FOG buildup. This buildup can lead to sewer blockages that send untreated wastewater backwards – out of manholes or back into your house or your neighbor's house.
You can help prevent FOG from causing backups and harming our sewer system. Please pour cooled FOG in a container and throw it away.
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Faucets#
Many homes are using water efficient faucets in kitchens and bathrooms. If your home is equipped with these, you’re using less water – great job! It’s important to be aware that keeping fats, oils and grease (FOG) out of your plumbing is key to ensuring your sewer line and our community’s wastewater system operates properly. Click here to learn more about how to properly dispose of FOG.
Toilets#
Water efficient toilets are better for the environment and your pocketbook, saving you money on your water and wastewater bill. In fact, to encourage more residents to upgrade to a toilet that uses less water, Fort Collins Utilities offers rebates for qualifying models, in addition to other fixtures. Saving water improves our community's resilience to drought and other factors.
Only flush the three Ps (pee, poo, and toilet paper) to ensure continued performance in your sewer line and the community's wastewater system. High efficiency fixtures, such as toilets, mean less water flows to the sewer. Adopting good disposal practices is key to minimizing blockages and other issues.
Additional Resources#
Did You Know?
Closing windows during summer days keeps cool air inside (while your AC is running).
Even small projects like planting a shrub require you to plan before digging. Know what’s below. Call 811 before you dig.
To keep high-efficiency toilets and sinks performing well, remember to only flush the three Ps and throw FOG in the trash.