Be a Sewer Hero: How to Care for Our Sewers

Over 500 miles of sewer pipe lie below the streets of Athens, providing an essential collection system to our homes, schools, and businesses.  This hidden infrastructure is vital to our health, economy, and environment.  Damage to the sewer system results in messy and expensive backups and sewer overflows, which can contaminate our environment and living spaces.

COVID-19 and Your Sewer

The coronavirus has us using more paper towels, wipes, and shop towels than ever before.  Please throw them in the trash. Wipes and paper towels should never be flushed down the toilet because they can cause unsanitary sewer overflows and toilet back ups into your home as you shelter in place.  The Public Utilities Department reminds you to dispose of wipes in the trash.  Remember the 4 Ps of Flushing:  Only Pee, Poo, Paper (toilet), and Puke should be flushed down your toilet.

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5 Ways to Protect Our Sewers

  1. Remember the 4 Ps of Flushing:  Only Pee, Poo, Paper, & Puke down the toilet.
  2. "Flushable" and "disposable" wipes go in the trash, not the toilet.
  3. Your toilet is not a trash can.  NEVER put trash down the toilet. 
  4. Put Fats, Oils, & Grease (FOG) in the trash, not down the drain.
  5. When in doubt, throw it out.

Be a Sewer Hero!