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Residents

Flushables


Though advertised as “Flushable”, flushable wipes do cause many problems for wastewater facilities and their operations. But, flushable wipes aren’t the only culprit. The following items don’t break down like toilet paper and end-up clogging household pipes, and public sewer lift station pumps causing sewer backups onto city streets, businesses, and homes.

Aquarium Gravel or Kitty Litter Kitchen Grease and Oils
Baby/Cleaning Wipes Paint
Cleaning Sponges Paper Towels
Cotton Swabs/Balls Pesticides
Dental Floss Plastic Items of any Description
Diapers Rags and Towels
Facial Tissue Syringes and Needles
Feminine Products Toilet Bowl Scrub Pads
Hair

Unused Pharmaceuticals

Household Cleaners Used Motor Oil
Image of a bathroom with the text, "It's a toilet, not a trash can"

Clogged pipes and pumps cost money to repair. In the case of lift station pumps, clogged pumps require significant maintenance to ensure the pumps are working properly. If a pump is damaged and can’t be repaired, they must be replaced which costs even more money. The solution to this expensive problem is to make sure that only toilet paper is flushed down the toilet.

For more information, contact the Pretreatment Program Manager at 208.888.2191.

Grease being put into a can with the words Scrape it, Can it, Trash it

Residential Fats, Oils, Grease, and Grit (FOGG)


Please keep fats, oils, grease, and grit (FOGG) out of your kitchen sink!

When poured down the drain, FOGG can build up in pipes and associated equipment, causing significant problems in your drain pipes, sewer system, and wastewater treatment facility.

Problems such as sewer line blockages that cause sewer overflows are the result of improper disposal of FOGG.

Sewer overflows cause environmental health hazards and property damage that lead to increased maintenance costs resulting in higher sewer bills to customers.

Sources of Fats, Oil, Grease, and Grit (FOGG)

Baking Goods Eggshells
Butter/Margarine Food Scraps
Coffee Grounds Lard/Shorting
Cooking Oils Meat Fats
Dairy Products Sauces

 

Prevention

Never pour fats, oils, or grease down a kitchen sink drain or garbage disposal. Pour the liquid into a glass jar, tin can, or plastic container with a lid. Allow the liquid to cool and throw away the lidded container in your trash.

For greasy pots and pans, scrape or wipe out the remaining grease deposits into a waste oil container or bag-lined garbage can.

Fat-Free Drain Kit

The City of Meridian has a free kit for you that includes a plastic can topper that fits many different size cans, a grease scraper to clean pots and pans, and an information card that illustrates how to use your “Fat-Free Drain Kit.”

These kits are available at Meridian City Hall’s Utility Billing Department located on the first floor. 

For more information, contact the Pretreatment Program Manager at 208-888-2191.

Pharmaceuticals


DON’T FLUSH your unused medications!

Take unwanted medications to:

Meridian Police Department
1401 E. Watertower Dr.
Meridian, Idaho 83642
Mon-Fri 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

It’s free, anonymous, and convenient.

Safe disposal of leftover prescriptions & over-the-counter drugs will:

a) Reduce problematic effects in our water quality and wildlife;
FACT - Pharmaceutical pollution negatively impacts fish and aquatic organisms.

b) Reduce accidental child poisoning;
FACT - Over 90% of poisonings in children occur in the home.

c) Prevent drug abuse by teens.
FACT - Every day 2,500 kids try a painkiller for the first time.
FACT - When teens want to get high…. Your unused prescription is available for pick up right at your home medicine cabinet.

Pharmaceuticals pills in a toilet bowl full of water with a red hollow circle with a line through it
Little person with googles giving a thumbs up with a residential pool behind him

Residential Swimming Pools, Ponds & Hot Tubs


Discharge Requirements

Most private single family housing pools are not connected to the City’s sewer system. Pool water can be drained on site if properly contained to the owner’s property, such as lawn and landscape areas. 

The chlorine and bromine in your pool provide benefits but must be handled wisely. They are convenient and economical primary sanitizers for swimming pools and hot tubs. Chlorine is the most popular and used in swimming pools. Bromine is very stable at high temperatures and has recently found heightened popularity in spas and hot tubs.

Swimming pool water containing chlorine/bromine is NOT ALLOWED to drain to public sewer or any stormwater system drain or collection areas without first neutralizing the chemical's pH level and official approval. For additional information, contact the Ada County Highway Department (ACHD) Stormwater Hotline at 208-395-8888.

If a residential or community swimming pool is connected to the City’s sanitary sewer system and needs to be drained, first contact the Pretreatment Program Manager at 208-888-2191 for approval and additional discharge information. Planned discharges help prevent back-ups, overflows, and basement flooding, so please call before you discharge.

NOTE: A residential pool or hot tub cannot be drained to a street sewer manhole as per Meridian City. Code, reference Title 9 Chapter 2, PRETREATMENT SEWER, § 9-2-2-1 B Prohibited Discharge Standards, Specific Prohibitions 26.

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