Only three things belong in the sewer: pee, poop, and toilet paper. Everything else goes in the trash.

Why it matters

Wipes, grease, and other trash don’t break down in the pipes. They snag, stick, and build up until the line clogs, which can back sewage up into your home or spill it into streets and Lake Almanor. Clogs in the lift station pumps are especially costly to fix, and those costs are paid by every ratepayer.

Never flush or pour down the drain

• Wipes, even ones labeled “flushable.”
• Paper towels, tissues, and napkins. They don’t dissolve like toilet paper.
• Diapers, feminine products, cotton swabs, dental floss, and cat litter.
• Fats, oils, and grease. Scrape and wipe pans with a paper towel and put the towel in the trash. Pour cooled grease and cooking oil into a container with a lid and throw it away when full.
• Food scraps. Use a sink strainer and empty it into the trash.
• Medications. Never pour or flush them. The Plumas County Sheriff’s Office holds a medication take-back program each year, and local pharmacies can help with safe disposal.

Our part: what the District does

• Cleans and inspects the sewer lines on a regular schedule, including camera inspection where needed.
• Runs a fats, oils, and grease program to keep grease from building up in the pipes.
• Follows the Sewer System Management Plan to prevent and respond to backups and spills.

Your part

• Follow the three-P rule and use the trash for everything else.
• Keep your sewer lateral in good repair. The pipe from your building all the way to the sewer main in the street is yours to maintain, not just the part on your property. See Wastewater Services.

Sewer backup? Call the District at (530) 258-2171, or after hours at (530) 816-0505, before calling a plumber. The problem may be on the District’s side.