Saugus DPW: Think twice, then flush once

SAUGUS-Disposable wipes, and mop heads might make life easier for homeowners but they have become a nightmare for the Department of Public Works.DPW Director Joseph Attubato said he has had to spend so much time and money dealing with clogs and backups at the Lynnhurst pump station an engineer was finally brought in to find out what was wrong.As it turns out there is nothing wrong with the station, it’s the residents who need a little rehabbing.”The sewer substations are constantly clogging at Lynnhurst and Hammersmith,” Attubato said. “People are just not thinking about what they’re flushing down the toilet.”In an effort to get people to think, Attubato is sending a letter to residents in the Lynnhurst and Hammersmith areas.Along with disposable wipes Attubato said fats, oils and grease are also making its way into the system. The problem he said is they eventually build up and block the pipe.”Grease and cooking oils should be placed into a can and disposed of in your garbage once it’s cooled,” he said.Attubato said the sewer system is designed to handle degradable waste such as toilet paper and waste water from washing or cleaning activities. Although many items on the supermarket shelves are sold as “flushable,” Attubato said they shouldn’t be and they include baby wipes, cleaning wipes, toilet cleaning scrubbers, diapers, rags, paper towels, feminine hygiene products, condoms and large food scraps.Attubato said when the above items are dumped into the sewer system they build up rather than break down and that is what causes the clogs at the pump stations. He said those clogs have lead to sewer overflows, which in turn pose a health threat to area residents as well as the environment.And he added, “Responding to these problems are costly.”Attubato said he would like residents to think twice about what they flush and if they have any questions to call his office at 781-231-4145.