Sewer and Septic System Dos and Don'ts

Home > Services > Utilities > Sewer and Septic > Sewer and Septic System Dos and Don'ts

While regional district staff are responsible for the operation of the sewer systems, there are lots of things that you as a user of the system can do to ensure it remains in good working order. The tips below provide advice on what you can do to protect your sewer system from harsh chemicals, and keep pumps and manholes from becoming clogged or damaged by foreign objects. Because most sanitary sewer blockages occur between a house and the sewer main, following these simple tips can also help prevent a sewer line back-up in your home.

DO:

Scrape excess grease into a container and dispose of it in the garbage. We suggest that you collect larger amounts of fats and oils in a heat-proof container and freeze before disposing in the garbage. This keeps the grease from making a mess in your garbage.
Place food scraps in waste containers or garbage bags for disposal with solid wastes, and scrape off your dishes prior to washing.
Place a wastebasket in the bathroom to dispose of solid wastes. Disposable diapers, condoms, and personal hygiene products do not belong in the sewer system.
Use a strainer over the plughole in your sink, tub, and shower. Empty the collected material into the garbage.
Compost! If you haven't got a compost heap, start one with lawn clippings, garden rubbish, and vegetable food scraps and use the compost to fertilize your garden.
Use the manufacturer's recommended amount of detergent for washing up in the kitchen or laundry. The average household uses three times more detergent than manufacturers recommend for washing dishes and clothes. When these detergents enter the sewer system, they hold large amounts of oil, grease, and fats in suspension making cleaning and treating the waste water difficult and more costly. By cutting down on the amount of detergent used, there'll also be less phosphate in the environment to cause the growth of algae in water. And, you'll save money on detergents.

DON’T:

Pour fats, oils, and grease from cooking down the sink drain. If your pots and pans are only greasy, don't rinse them; just wipe them out with a paper towel.
Pour paint, engine oil, pesticides or chemicals down the sink. (Don't try to burn them, either.) This isn't only because of the threat of these hazards getting into the environment; but also because these chemicals pose a health threat to maintenance staff working in the sewers. Contact the regional district or the Recycling Hotline at 1-800-667-4321 for disposal information.
Place jewellery and valuables on the edge of a basin or sink. Once dropped down a drain or flushed down the toilet, valuable and valued items are very difficult to recover. Also, take care not to drop other items such as dentures and wallets into the toilet.
Flush diapers, sanitary napkins, tampons, convenience pads, surgical bandages, syringes, condoms, cotton-tipped stems, or pantyhose down the toilet.