Help prevent sewer stop-ups due to COVID-19-related products

Seneca, S.C. – The Oconee Joint Regional Sewer Authority (OJRSA) is asking for sewer customers served by the cities of Seneca, Walhalla, Westminster, and the town of West Union to avoid flushing wipes, paper towels, and other such products into the sewer system. Even if the packaging says “flushable,” these products should be disposed of in the garbage. While wipes and other materials have always caused problems in sewer lines and at the Coneross Creek Water Reclamation Facility, there is now an increased risk to the system due to the shortage of toilet paper and increasedcleaning efforts due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The only items that should be considered “flushable” are toilet paper and bodily wastes. All other materials should be placed in the garbage, including:

• Paper towels
• Disinfectant wipes (such as Clorox or Lysol wipes)
• Surgical or N95 masks
• Gloves
• Wet wipes/baby wipes
• Any type of fabric
• Grease and oils
• Feminine hygiene products
• Condoms
• Facial tissue and napkins
• Plastic (including bags)
• Cardboard containers or bags
Violators of this requirement may be subject to paying for the removal of blockages and additional penalties in accordance with the OJRSA Sewer Use Regulation and applicable city ordinances. Additional information about COVID-19 as it relates to wastewater and how OJRSA operations have been affected
by the virus can be found online at www.ojrsa.org/covid-19.