COUNTY News:

While toilet paper may be in short supply in many stores, citizens may be tempted to use other products.

“Don’t do it,” is the warning from the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU). 

Flushable wipes, baby wipes, wet wipes, moist towelettes may all claim on the packaging that they are safe to flush down the toilet, but only toilet paper won’t clog sewer lines, according to Deputy Manager Jack Richardson.

“These products don’t disintegrate, which leads to sewer back-ups that are costly and a hazard to public health,” Richardson said.

Other items that should not be flushed include:

• Feminine products;
• Dental Floss;
• Q-tips or Cotton Balls;
• Diapers;
• Condoms;
• Paper Towels or Tissues;
• Cigarette butts; and
  
• Pills.

If a sewer backup occurs, department officials advise customers to call the Customer Care Center at 505.662.8333 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. After hour, customers should call the police at 505.662.8222 so that a DPU stand-by crew can be dispatched. DPU thanks Los Alamos citizens for keeping the sewer lines clear.