Our wastewater systems are designed to handle only the 3Ps: pee, poop, and (toilet) paper. When other items are flushed, they don’t break down properly and can clog pipes, damage pumps, and disrupt water treatment equipment.
These blockages can lead to sewer backups, environmental contamination, and costly repairs. Flushing smart helps protect homes, infrastructure, and Florida’s waterways.
Toilet paper is specifically designed to disintegrate in water. Products like wipes do not break apart quickly enough to move safely through sewer systems, despite their labeling.
Items that should always go in the trash include:
If it’s not one of the 3Ps—Pee, Poop, or (toilet) Paper—throw it out.
Florida’s unique environment and infrastructure make this issue even more serious:
When sewer lines clog, wastewater can become a messy problem. It can back up into homes, spill into streets, or overflow into storm systems and nearby lakes and ponds.
Cleaning up these problems is expensive, time-consuming, and disruptive. And those costs are ultimately shared by the community in the form of higher water bills.
Items that don’t break down can build up inside pipes and pumps, creating blockages known as “rags.” These clogs can stop equipment from working properly and may lead to sewer backups in homes and neighborhoods.
Clearing these blockages requires costly maintenance and emergency repairs.
Since 2020, this problem continues to worsen. In Pasco County, there has been a 30 percent increase in the amount of unflushable debris in our systems. 5-10 cubic yards of waste per week has to be deragged from Pasco systems, which has caused a 30-50 percent decrease in sewage pump life expectancy.
The FGUA Flush Smart Florida campaign helps communities understand how small daily habits can protect local wastewater systems.
Download and share campaign materials to help spread the message about the 3Ps campaign. Educational resources, graphics, and classroom materials are available for residents, community groups, and educators who want to promote smart flushing habits.
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