At McRae’s Septic we have been servicing septic systems in Metro Vancouver, Langley, Abbotsford, Chilliwack and the Fraser Valley since 1951. A septic tank system that is correctly maintained will function effectively and safely for years. An inadequately maintained system can seriously endanger health and the environment, and can lead to considerable nuisance and expense.

Whether you have a septic system or you are connected to the city sewer system, it’s important to think twice about anything you put down your household drains. When items like disposable wipes, cooking grease, food scraps, and cigarette filters get flushed, they can cause problems for your home’s plumbing and sewer as well as the environment. Here are some items that shouldn’t end up in your drains.

Prescription Medication
If you need to dispose of medication you do not need, do not flush it down the toilet. These medications can destroy bacteria in the sewer, contaminate groundwater, and have effects on downstream wildlife. According to researchers, even tiny amounts of estrogen exposure to fish can interfere with the fish’s ability to make proteins that ward off disease and cause male fish to switch gender.

Flushable Bathroom Wipes
While moist bathroom wipes are often advertised as flushable, the truth is they are not. These flushable wipes are creating sewer back-ups and clogs across the country. In fact, a city in the United States recently sued the six manufacturers of flushable wipes as the wipes were causing so many issues for the city’s sewer systems. The wipes do not degrade like toilet paper after they are flushed.

Cotton Swabs and Balls
Cotton may seem like it will eventually break down in the drain once it’s wet, but it won’t. Cotton will absorb a great deal of water and accumulate in the bends of your pipes, leading to serious clogs.

Cooking Grease, Fat, and Oil
While small amounts of cooking grease or fat are likely to end up going down your kitchen drain, always take the time to dispose of grease in your trash can. While grease may go down the drain as a liquid when it’s warm, as soon as it hits the drain, it will cool and solidify, turning into a thick wax-like clog.

Other Items You Shouldn’t Flush

• Dental floss
• Band-aids
• Cat litter
• Condoms
• Paper towels
• Facial tissues
• Tampons and sanitary napkins
• Pet waste
• Household cleaning products like sanitizers, bleach, and drain cleaners
• Food scraps

For more resources on keeping your drains healthy check out these resources from the Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley Regional District websites!

• www.metrovancouver.org/services/liquid-waste/preventing-problems-pipes/
• www.fvrd.ca/assets/Services/Documents/Engineering~and~Community~Services/

Take good care of your system and it will take care of you! If you have any questions or if it is time for your annual septic inspection, or pumping and cleaning give us a call to receive a free quote.