Sewer Do's and Don'ts

As a ratepayer, you financially support TransAqua’s sewer collector system. By following these tips, you can help keep the wastewater system flowing smoothly, reduce maintenance costs and protect the aquatic environment.

TransAqua
Greater Moncton Wastewater Commission
506-387-7977

information [at] transaqua.ca (information[at]transaqua[dot]ca)

355 Hillsborough Road, Riverview, N.B. E1B 1S5

 

Do!

  • Do place liquid fats, oils and grease into a jar or container. Once solidified, remove and add to your compost bag. This will reduce grease build-up in pipes.
  • Do scrape grease and food residues from dishes and pans into your compost bag before placing them into your dishwasher or sink. Wipe down greasy pots and pans with a paper towel and then place it into your compost bag.
  • Do use a strainer over the drain in your sink, tub and shower to prevent the release of hair that can build-up and plug sewer lines. Then empty the material into your garbage bag.
  • Do discard food scraps, tea leaves, coffee grounds and eggshells into your compost bag.
  • Do place a wastebasket in the bathroom to dispose of solid waste. Disposable diapers, condoms and personal hygiene products do not belong in the sewer system.
  • Do locate your backwater valve protection device. If you don't have one, to prevent basement flooding, you should consider installing.
  • Do use the manufacturers recommended amount of laundry and dish detergent. They hold fats, oil and grease in suspension making wastewater treatment more difficult and costly. Since most people use too much detergent, this action will reduce phosphates released to the environment that can lead to algae blooms.
  • Do empty washing machine lint into your garbage bag.
  • Do clean toilet vents annually to prevent blockages that can release toxic sewer line gases into your home.
  • Do unclog drains naturally by pouring a ¼ cup of baking soda down the drain followed by a ½ cup of vinegar. Follow a few minutes later with boiling water.

Don't!

  • Do Not pour fats, oil and grease from cooking down the drain. They harden and can block pipes.
  • Do Not pour sour milk down the sink. One litre of full cream milk has enough fat in it to cover an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
  • Do Not flush a commercial grease interceptor with hot water to clear or clean the interceptor. Always have the grease interceptor pumped out by licensed professionals and disposed of properly.
  • Do Not discard food scraps, tea leaves, coffee grounds and eggshells down the sink.
  • Do Not flush so-called “flushable” wipes, baby wipes, cleaning wipes or wipes made of non-biodegradable material. Although these products will pass through a toilet, they do not break down and can block the pipe and damage pumping stations.
  • Do Not flush disposable diapers, personal hygiene products (including the plastic film), razor blades, dental floss, tampons, bandages, syringes or cat litter.
  • Do Not use sink garburators. Food debris can stick to fats, oil and grease that can block the pipe.
  • Do Not flush medications or needles down the drain. They cannot be treated and will end up harming aquatic life. Please return unused medications and needles to your local pharmacy for proper disposal.
  • Do Not pour paint, engine oil, pesticides or chemicals down the drain. Some hazardous materials corrode the pipe causing holes while others cannot be treated and can pose a health threat to maintenance workers. Please return hazardous goods back to the store you bought them from or to the Eco 360 facility at 100 Bill Slater Drive.
  • Do Not plant trees near your sewer lateral or sewer pipes. Tree roots will penetrate sewer pipes through any size crack and block the pipe.
  • Do Not connect roof, basement or surface drains to the sewer system. The extra water could overload the sewer system and cause water to back up in your basement if you do not have a backflow preventer.