Residents

Clogged Sewer Lines are no fun for anyone. Here are some tips to help keep them flowing smooth.

Think Before You Flush:
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Next time you go to toss that “flushable” wipe in the toilet, you might want to consider not doing so. City Sewers in the area and across the country say the rapidly growing use of pre-moistened “personal” wipes — used most often by potty-training toddlers and people seeking what’s advertised as a more “thorough” cleaning than toilet paper — are clogging pipes & jamming pumps. Utilities struggling with aging infrastructure have wrestled for years with the problem of “ragging” — when baby wipes, dental floss, paper towels and other items NOT designed for flushing entangle sewer pumps. “Just because you can flush it doesn’t mean you should,” So when in doubt, what should you flush? It might sound blunt, but utility officials recommend sticking with the “three P’s”: pee, poop and (toilet) paper.
​Cease the Grease

1. Remove oil and grease from all dishes and pans before washing. Once cooled,scrape and wipe off excess grease.
2. Once grease or cooling oil has cooled, pour into covered collection containers. Never pour oil and grease down the drain.
3. Cover kitchen sink with catch baskets (strainers) and empty into trash can as needed.
4. Don’t rinse off oil and grease from pots and pans with hot water. When the water cools the grease will congeal and could cause a backup. Instead, wipe the grease off with a paper towel, dispose of the paper towel in your regular garbage, then wash.
5. Scrape food scraps from dishes into a trash can to avoid using your garbage disposal.
6. Used cooling oil can be harmful to your sewer. Why not recycle it?
7. Visit www.ceasethegreasetx.com for more information.
8. While many “flush-able” items (baby wipes) may not clog your pipes, they can easily clog lift station pumps resulting in costly repairs and increasing the potential for sewer overflows. Many manufacturers claim these so-called “flush-able” items biodegrade and are sewer and septic safe, but the reality is that they arrive at the treatment plant intact causing damage to screens, motors, and pumps that require expensive repairs. The City of Celeste highly encourages you to dispose of these items with your regular garbage. When you put cooking waste like foods, oil, and grease (F.O.G.) down the drain, it clings to the side of your sewer pipes and can cause clogs in your lines, which may result in an expensive visit from the plumber. Grease can also clog the city’s main sewer lines and make it harder to treat wastewater. The cost of cleaning and repairs contributes to the rates that you pay for sewer service. Clogs can also cause sewer back-ups which are a hazard to the environment as well as public health.