What NOT to Flush If You Have a Septic System

Your septic system is a living ecosystem. A healthy tank contains billions of bacteria that break down organic waste — and many common household products kill those bacteria, clog your drain field, or introduce substances the system simply cannot treat. Here's the definitive list of what to keep out of your system.

Never Flush These Items

• "Flushable" wipes — These do not break down in septic systems, regardless of what the label says. They accumulate in the tank and clog drain lines.
• Paper towels and tissues — Much thicker than toilet paper, they do not dissolve and can block baffles and inlet lines.
• Feminine hygiene products — Tampons, pads, and applicators do not break down and accumulate rapidly in tanks.
• Cotton balls and Q-tips — Extremely slow to break down; they mat together and create blockages inside the tank.
• Cat litter — Even "flushable" litter is clay-based and will clog your system quickly.
• Cigarette butts — Contain chemicals that harm the beneficial bacterial population in your tank.
• Dental floss — Wraps around components and binds debris together, creating solid masses inside the tank.
• Medications and pharmaceuticals — Can kill the good bacteria in your tank and pass through to groundwater.
• Diapers or wipes of any kind — Even small pieces can completely block your drain line.

Never Pour These Down the Drain

• Cooking grease and oils — Grease solidifies in pipes and tanks, coating baffles and blocking drain field soil pores. This is one of the leading causes of drain field failure in Lee County.
• Bleach and antibacterial cleaners — Kill the bacteria your tank depends on. Limited use is tolerable, but heavy or frequent use seriously disrupts the biological balance.
• Chemical drain openers (Drano, etc.) — Highly caustic chemicals that can devastate your tank's bacterial ecosystem in a single use.
• Paint, solvents, and thinners — Toxic to bacteria and to the soil in your drain field. Dispose of these at a hazardous waste facility.
• Pesticides and herbicides — Extremely harmful to the bacteria in your tank.
• Motor oil or gasoline — Even small amounts contaminate groundwater and destroy your system's biological function.

The Only Safe Thing to Flush: Toilet Paper

Regular single-ply or two-ply toilet paper is designed to break down in water and is fully safe for septic systems. Avoid ultra-thick "plush" varieties if possible — they dissolve more slowly. And only flush toilet paper — nothing else, ever.