Watch what you flush: Kitchener staff look to protect sewer system

The City of Kitchener is taking a proactive approach when it comes to maintaining its underground wastewater infrastructure.

Council recently passed the new integrated sanitary master plan. It’s a strategy for upgrading, expanding and maintaining the city’s 834 kilometres of sanitary sewer and pumping systems. It also outlines how and where infrastructure will need to be expanded to accommodate growing neighbourhoods.

The goal is to identify issues early to prevent costly emergency repairs so the system is ready to handle the increased demand.

Nick Gollan, the manager of stormwater utility for the City of Kitchener, told 570 NewsRadio one of the most pressing issues facing his department is the amount of inappropriate materials being flushed down toilets.

“In our pumping stations and pumps we can find shirts, towels, underwear, feminine hygiene products and other things that really don’t break down in the sewer system that clog pumps and prevent the system from working.”

Gollan said these clogs can cause serious issues for the whole system.

“When a pump clogs, we have to shut the system off. We have to go in there and physically remove these materials out of the pump. If we’re not there in a timely manner, it could cause back-ups.”

Gollan noted the sewers could start backing-up into basements or cause toilets to stop flushing.

In an effort to limit the foreign material from entering the system, the city has put together a short list of things to keep in mind:

• Use a strainer for your sink, tub and shower drains. 
• Only flush the 3P’s: pee, poop, and (toilet) paper.
• Use your green bin for kitchen waste, not drains.

Do not put these common household materials in your toilets and sinks:

• Cleaning wipes like disinfectant wipes
• Baby wipes
• Sanitary wipes
• Paper towels
• Fats, oils, and grease (add these to your green bin)