North Andover Newsbrief, Week of June 16, 2025

Even if they’re small, even if the package says “flushable,” some everyday items can cause messy and expensive problems for your plumbing and our sewer treatment facilities.

Products that might seem safe to flush down the toilet, such as personal care wipes, dental floss and paper towels, don’t dissolve quickly – or at all – in water. If a scrap of undissolved material gets caught on a nick, bend or bump within a pipe, it can trigger a growth of buildup that could cause a sewer backup in your home or neighborhood.

Sewer agencies, environmentalists and consumer advocates are working with manufacturers to correct product labeling. In the meantime, please make sure to dispose of personal care products, cleaning supplies and other household waste properly: in the trash can, in the recycling bin or at your local household hazardous waste disposal site.

How to care for septic systems (mass.gov): https://www.mass.gov/guides/caring-for-your-septic-system#:~:text=How%20often%20should%20I%20pump,or%20at%20all%20%E2%80%93%20in%20water.
Properly Dispose of Waste: https://www.epa.gov/septic/how-care-your-septic-system#properly