We know sanitizing is on everyone's mind these days, but did you know that flushing disinfecting wipes, flushable wipes and paper towels down the toilet can clog sewers and cause backups.

According to the State Water Board, flushing wipes, paper towels and similar products down toilets will clog sewers and cause backups and overflows at wastewater treatment facilities, creating an additional public health risk.

Be aware of wet wipes are marketed as flushable and septic-safe. Even though these wipes do eventually break down, they take a longer amount of time to do so compared to toilet paper. Since the breakdown of wet wipes isn’t as rapid, clogged pipes and blockages occur more frequently. Putting your home’s plumbing at risk for serious clogs can result in a hefty plumbing bill.

While it’s important to keep clean surfaces with disinfecting wipes to reduce the spread of COVID-19, remember to discard these items in your trash can and not the toilet. Please be sewer smart and think before you flush products down the toilet or drains and into the sewer system.