Think before you flush! We get in a hurry and sometimes don’t consider the items we flush or what they can do to our plumbing. Just because you can wipe with it does not mean you should flush it down. The only thing you should flush down your toilet is toilet paper.

We found this list on the City of Round Rocks website to help guide you through the process. If you have a doubt about whether or not it is flushable…throw it away!

Common items flushed down the toilet and why they should NOT be:

Wipes No Wipes in the Pipes! Even those labeled “flushable”, they are too thick and do not disintegrate easily.
Paper Towels, Napkins, and Tissue
Designed to absorb moisture and stay together when wet, not break down.
Animal Training Pads Constructed of a waterproof film that prevents liquid from passing through and of a super-absorbent polymer and fluff pulp, which turns liquid into gel. These do not break down in water and can cause major blockages in the pipelines.
Cotton Balls and Swabs They do not break down in water, instead they gather together and are difficult to dislodge.
Feminine Hygiene Products Designed to absorb moisture and expand which prevents safe passage through your pipes.
Grease, Oils and Fats Can it…Don’t Drain It! Grease may go in as liquid, but as soon as it hits the drain, it cools and becomes a pipe-clogging wax. Pour leftover grease in a can then toss in the trash. Request a FREE Cease-the-Grease package with a can lid, by emailing Don’t Stop the Flow. Learn more at Cease the Grease.
Cat Litter Made from clay and sand, two things that should NEVER be flushed. Not to mention that cat waste contains toxins and parasites that should not be in our water system.
Condoms Easy to flush, but not so easy on the wastewater system. Condoms can inflate like balloons and cause fairly destructive obstructions.
Medication Wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove chemicals found in drugs. These dangerous chemicals get pumped into the lakes and streams, contaminating groundwater supplies and wildlife downstream.
Disposable Diapers Made from a toxic plastic designed to expand when it becomes wet.
Dental Floss Once flushed, it wraps around objects in the pipeline, making tiny clogs bigger in an instant.
Cigarette Butts Full of incredibly toxic chemicals that end up in the water supply.
Band-aids Made of a non-biodegradable plastic that is terrible for the environment and causes clogs.
Pets Goldfish are commonly flushed, but small rodents (hamsters and gerbils) are also found in the wastewater system. They’re sturdy and they create clogs; consider a proper burial.
Food Although biodegradable, it doesn’t break down fast so it can lump together and cause clogs.
Hair Like floss, it tangles and catches things, creating clogs.