Sewer

2019 reports on wastewater treatment plants

Annual reports

Protect your pipes

Protect your pipes by safely disposing non-flushable items and fats, oils and grease. Everything we deposit into a toilet or sink needs to be removed at a wastewater treatment facility. From baby wipes and hygiene products to cooking oils and sandwich spreads, non-flushable items can clog pipes, damage infrastructure and negatively impact our lakes and rivers.

Fats, oils and grease

When fats, oils and grease (FOG) cool, they form blockages. Blockages can lead to basement flooding and sewage overflows onto streets and surrounding areas. These clogs can also damage your local wastewater facility and your rates may go up to cover costly repairs.

What is FOG?

FOG is fats, oils and grease. These include:

Sandwich spreads
Milk and cream
Salad dressings
Butter and magarine
Sauces and gravies
Meat fat

How can I properly dispose of FOG?

Follow these tips to protect your pipes from FOG:

After a meal, let leftover FOG cool in pans and then scrape into the green bin.
Liquid FOG can be poured into containers such as tin cans, empty coffee cans or milk cartons and left to harden, then scraped into the green bin.
Wipe excess FOG from pans and dishes with a paper towel and dispose of it in the green bin.

Pharmaceuticals

Did you know that traces of pharmaceuticals are being detected in the environment, primarily in water (surface water, groundwater, and drinking water) and soil? One of the ways pharmaceuticals get into our environment is by consumers flushing them down the toilet or the sink.

Most pharmacies will take back unused or expired pharmaceuticals. Visit healthsteward.ca to find your local pharmacy by address/postal code.

Personal hygiene products

Many items we use on a daily basis cannot go down our drains.

Non-flushable items

Common hygiene items that are flushed⁠—but shouldn't be⁠—include:

Personal care wipes/baby wipes and facial tissue
Tampons, sanitary pads
Diapers
Condoms
Cosmetics
Cotton swabs
Dental floss
Hair dye
Hydrogen peroxide and isopropyl alcohol
Nail polish and remover
Perfume and cologne
Waxes

Household hazardous waste

Many items we use for general cleaning, home maintenance, gardening and automobile care can be dangerous if poured down our drains. These items contain toxic ingredients and should be used and disposed of with caution. Please check the County of Simcoe's Waste Wizard to find out where to dispose of household hazardous waste products.