Sanitary Sewer Overflow Caused by Wipes, Aug. 31

City of Coos Bay report – On Thursday morning (Aug. 27), City staff was alerted of sewer coming out of a manhole in north Empire near the intersection of Tideview Terrace and Chickses Drive. The City’s Wastewater Contract Operator mobilized immediately and confirmed the report. They cleaned the public line and found a large amount of “rags” blocking the line and causing the backup. In the sewer industry the term “rags” often times refers to “flushable” or “disposable” wipes. However, even though the marketing package states that they are flushable or disposable, they should not be flushed into the sewer system as they can cause serious problems. Unlike wipes that are marketed as “flushable,” toilet paper breaks apart easily in water. But the wipes maintain their mass and bind together, often with grease that people also mistakenly send into the sewer lines. Not only do they have the potential to clog a main line, but they could also clog your private lateral. The City understands and wants our residents to clean and disinfect on a regular basis during (and after) the pandemic. However, even if your wipes are advertised as flushable or disposable, the City is requesting that you don’t flush the wipes down the drain, but rather throw them in your trash. Other items that should not be flushed include paper towels, baby wipes, cat litter, hygiene products, fats, oil, and grease.