Stagnant Water Challenges
Many buildings have been empty for several weeks, which means water in their plumbing and service lines is at risk for harboring bacteria and other harmful substances. As these buildings prepare to re-open, it is critical to flush all the faucets inside the building for at least five minutes until water from the City water mains has been pulled through your system. The City of Clemson regularly flushes fire hydrants and water line blow offs and tests for adequate levels of chlorine residual to ensure no harmful bacteria can exist in our mains.
What Not To Flush
We recently experienced a number of clogged sewer lines in the City and clogged pumps at our sewer pump stations due to foreign material being flushed down toilets or poured down drains, creating a mass in the pipes that caused a backup. Clogged sewer lines and pumps can lead to sewer backups into homes, which are expensive to clean and repair. If a sewer back-up occurs, you can be held responsible for the costs to correct the problem.
The following SHOULD NOT be flushed down the toilets or poured down drains:
- Baby wipes, flushable wipes, disinfecting wipes, towelettes, or cloth wipes of any kind (even if the package says “flushable,” these wipes DO NOT decompose)
- Paper (other than toilet paper)
- Medications (both Prescription and over-the-counter)
- Needles
- Feminine hygiene products
- Contraceptives/prophylactics of any kind
- Beauty products, cotton balls, Q-tips, dental floss, razors, razor blades, etc
- Plastics of any kind
- Grease of any kind, including cooking grease
- Kitty Litter or Pet Supplies
- Garden Supplies (i.e. pesticides, fertilizers)
- Paint, Varnish, Paint Remover
- Motor Oil, Gasoline, or any Explosive Material
Please help us protect our employees, sewer lines, and pump stations.
Remember, only water, human waste, and toilet tissue paper should be flushed down toilets.
For more information, contact Doris Wilson, Chief Operator of the City’s Cochran Road Wastewater Treatment Plant at 864-653-2046.