The Public Works Department for the City of Rochester would like to remind residents and business owners: Do Not Flush Wipes of any kind.

These products can severely impact sewer pipes and pumping systems in your neighborhood and the City’s treatment facility. They can also damage private septic systems. These products cause blockages and overflow to homes and in City streets. The presence of these products in our sewer system causes dysfunction that results in environmental harm, expensive repairs, and unnecessary increased exposure for residents and City workers to bio-hazards.

Other non-flushable items that could cause problems in the Public Sanitary Sewer System are medicines, needles, cooking fats, oils and greases, cotton swabs, dental floss, feminine products, and cat litter. Even wipes sold as “flushable” products can cause major problems. Ideally, the only things that should be flushed are bodily waste and toilet paper.

The City of Rochester thanks you for your help and it’s our hope that you will share this information with a neighbor.

Click here to see detailed photos of the problem. Caution, these photos are not for the squeamish.