Rhode Island Residents are Urged to Protect Your Septic System During The Coronavirus Crisis
With the high demand and shortages of toilet paper as people adjust to the new realities of social distancing, self-isolation and working/staying at home, another crisis could be caused by flushing wipes and other alternatives into your septic system.
Flushing inappropriate materials down your toilet can cause blocked pipes and backups or even complete septic system failures, which can cost anywhere from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars to fix or repair.
Wipes Clog Pipes!
You can avoid issues with your septic system by only flushing toilet paper and not any of these items (to name a few):
- Wipes
- Flushable wet wipes
- Personal care wipes
- Baby wipes
- Disinfecting wet wipes
- General cleaning wipes
- Intimate wet wipes
- Paper towels
- Rags
- Towels
- Napkins
- Tissues
- Rubber items
- Latex or other gloves
When In Doubt, Throw It Out! It’s a Toilet, Not a Trash Can!
Even if the product you are using says that it is flushable, we’d advise you not to do so. By sticking to only flushing toilet paper down your toilet, you will protect your septic system and keep from needing any expensive repairs. Everything else that you are using should be placed in a sealed trash bag and disposed of properly.
For more information, visit the Water Environment Federation website at https://www.wef.org/resources/for-the-public/public-information/fact-sheets/ [wef.org] and click on “It’s a Toilet, Not a Trash Can!” in the left-hand menu.
Or visit the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management news As Reports Of Wastewater System Damage Increase, DEM Reiterates: Dispose Of Disinfectant Wipes In The Trash
Septic System Issues? We’re Here To Help You!
If your septic system is already failing, functions slowly, or backs up regularly, you may now experience additional backups and failures because of the increased daily flow into your septic system from the increased usage due to all your family being home all the time now. Limiting flushes, decreasing water usage (shorter showers) and spreading out doing laundry throughout the week (instead of doing it all in one day) may help your leach field function better until we all return to work and school or you can have your septic system replaced.
If you are experiencing issues with the regular operation of your septic system in Rhode Island, please contact us immediately. To learn more about RI Septic System Maintenance Recommendations, click here.
