Protect Our Pipes: Don't Flush 'Flushable' Wipes

Sanitary sewer pump clogged with "flushable" wipes.

Virginia Beach’s sanitary sewer system is designed to carry only water, toilet paper and human waste. Anything else can cause clogs that lead to costly plumbing repairs, sewer backups and environmental issues. 

Wastewater from your home travels through the City’s sanitary sewer system to a Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) wastewater treatment plant, where it is cleaned before being safely returned to local waterways. Keeping unwanted items out of the sewer system helps protect this essential infrastructure and reduces the risk of blockages. 

Why “Flushable” Wipes are a Problem 

Pre-moistened wipes are a common cause of pipe blockages both in your home and in the City’s sanitary sewer system. Although many wipes are marketed as “flushable,” they do not break down like toilet paper does. Instead, they combine with other materials that don’t belong down your drain, such as cooking oil and grease, to create clogs in the pipes.

These clogs can result in: 

• Backups of raw sewage into your home 
• Overflows onto your street 
• Costly home plumbing repairs (property owner responsibility) 
• Emergency repairs to the sanitary sewer system (City responsibility) 

What You Should Flush

You can help prevent issues in your home’s plumbing and the City’s sanitary sewer system by only flushing the three P’s:

• Pee
• Poop
• (Toilet) Paper

What Not to Flush 

The following items belong in your trash, not your toilet"

• Wipes (even those labeled “flushable”) including baby wipes, personal hygiene wipes and disinfecting wipes 
• Cat litter 
• Cotton swabs 
• Dental floss 
• Diapers and diaper liners 
• Facial tissues 
• Fats, oils, grease and food scraps from the kitchen 
• Family planning products 
• Feminine hygiene products 
• Paper towels 
• Toilet bowl scrubbing pads 

By flushing only water, toilet paper and human waste, you can help protect your home's plumbing, reduce costly repairs and keep the City’s sanitary sewer system flowing smoothly. 

Learn more about what not to flush by visiting VirginiaBeach.gov/NoWipes.  

• No Wipes in the Pipes
• Public Utilities

Virginia Beach Public Utilities is committed to helping Virginia Beach residents of all ages learn about the value of water and how to conserve it, how to keep drains clear, how to protect your pipes and more.