4-21-2019

We all know what the toilet and its plumbing were designed for, but a lot of us can’t help it — sometimes other things seem like they can be flushed down the drain, too.

However, there can be a lot of unwanted consequences from flushing things down the drain that don’t belong. (Hint: most things don’t!)

First, there’s the expensive mess of an overflowing toilet and damaged pipes. If you don’t have to pay for the clogging, chances are that the City of Stockton does.

Second, there’s the environmental hazard of adding foreign substances to our water supply. Whether they’re chemicals or plastic, water treatment plants aren’t equipped to filter out all of these substances, so they build up in our drinking water over time.

Skip the mess — and contaminating our drinking water — by keeping these common offenders out of the drain, whether it’s your toilet, a shower or a sink. Click on each one to learn the best way to dispose of it.

1. Medicine

2. “Flushable” Wipes

3. Paper Towels & Facial Tissue

4. Diapers

5. Hair

6. Cooking Oil & Grease

7. Cigarettes

8. Cleaning Products (including bleach)

9. Paint

10. Contact Lenses