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Think before you flush: Janesville asking its residents for help with the sewer systembut why?
Think before you flush: Janesville asking its residents for help with the sewer systembut why?
JANESVILLE (WITI) -- There's a problem in Janesville -- and city officials say they need the residents to help out. It all comes down to what's being flushed down the toilet.
About 15 million gallons of sewage water flow through Janesville's Water Utility each day -- bringing with it anything else that happens to find its way into the toilet bowl.
"I mean, we'll find anything from little kids' cars to golf balls. I found a pair of false teeth once," Joseph Zakovec Superintendent of Janesville Water Utility said.
Although those things are probably accidents, many things are intentionally flushed that are causing the city a big headache.
"The flushable wipes have become very popular for people to use," Zakovec said.
Zakovec says what's flushable and what should be flushed are two different things.
"They're labeled as disposable and flushable and yes, technically they are flushable but they do not break down," Zakovec said.
Now, those "flushable" wipes are backing up the systems -- causing blockages and pretty costly sewer main breaks.
"It's time consuming and the operator is dealing with the raw wastewater at that time also," Zakovec said.
The city is asking all residents to think before they flush -- and they say anything aside from human waste and toilet paper should head to the trash.