Protect the pipes - what not to flush

The wastewater system is designed to handle human waste and toilet paper - that's it. Putting other items down the drain or flushing them down the toilet can lead to blockages, or clogs which may require costly repairs. You can help protect our wastewater sewer system by taking simple actions and properly disposing of items in your Green Cart, Blue Cart or Black Cart.
Store it don't our it

FOG stands for fats, oils and grease, which are often mistakenly poured down household drains.

FOG quickly turn solid within sewer pipes, and can cause blockages that lead to sewer backups and overflows. 

Instead of pouring down a drain, store your cooking fats and grease in a disposable container such as a tin can and let it cool before placing in your Black Cart. Wipe remaining fats, oils and grease from your pots and pans with a paper towel and throw it in your household waste.

Hot water and soap does not remove these substances from the walls of sewer pipes. Sewer pipes in the ground are cold so any liquid grease in the wastewater solidifies on the walls of the pipe. Eventually, it can build up enough to cause blockages in your own service line.

When you flush your toilet, flushed materials leave your home through pipes that connect to the City's wastewater system. Materials like fats, oils, grease and hair that are flushed down the drain can harm or block the pipes in the system. 

Avoid a costly, messy and time-consuming cleanup. Don't drain or flush fats, oils or grease.

Never flush:

  • “Flushable” wipes (The term “flushable” is not regulated in Canada; even if a package says an item is flushable, it does not mean it’s safe for your wastewater sewer system.)
  • Pet, baby or cleaning wipes
  • Paper towels
  • Facial tissue
  • Menstrual products
  • Fats, oils and grease (FOG)
  • Bandages
  • Rags
  • Cat litter
  • Disposable diapers
  • Condoms
  • Cotton balls or swabs
  • Prescription medication
  • Cigarettes
  • Dental floss
  • Hair 

Learn more at TheClog.ca.