COVID-19 Mask Notice

COVID-19 Emergency Flush Notice

 DO NOT flush wipes of any kind down toilets and drains

The Fountain Sanitation District would again like to remind residents of our community, DO NOT flush wipes of any kind down toilets and drains. Please dispose of used wipes in the trash.

There is much anxiety over the COVID-19 in our community, county, and the world. The District is highly aware of the current panic over toilet paper. Rest assured, the District is fully staffed at both wastewater treatment facilities and are ready to handle the expected increase in toilet paper. However, the facilities are not designed to handle wipes, rags, latex gloves, etc. of any kind and we are seeing a significant increase of these items.

The District would like to remind the community that just because the packaging on disposable wipes state, “flushable,” it does not mean they are degradable. The so called “flushable” wipes do not break down as they travel through the sewer collection line on the way to the treatment facilities. Toilet paper is specifically designed to breakdown as it travels.

The fibrous material in wipes get caught up on the smallest things, starts to collect and eventually can create a significant back-up in the sewer collection system. We are seeing the same type of problems at the District’s wastewater pump stations. The pumps were not designed to pass large volumes of wipes, rags, latex gloves, etc. which clog the internal parts, and eventually lead to an overabundance of labor and costly repairs.

Several of our community members also have an internal “mini” sanitary pump station inside their home which is a private system that pumps wastewater up to the District’s main sewer line in the street or easement. If a blockage occurs on a private system, the property owner is responsible for those repairs.

Please call the District should you have any questions about what should and should not be used.

Emergencies

In the event that you should have a sanitary sewer emergency after hours and need to contact someone immediately, please call the main number for the District offices at 382-5303, phones are transferred to the after-hours personnel on call. In the event the on call personnel cannot be reached, please call the City of Fountain Police Department at 382-8555. They will be able to reach the next available personnel on call.

Sanitary Sewer Backup and Drain Policy

It is policy of the Fountain Sanitation District concerning sanitary sewer and drain backups that any and all claims arising from sanitary sewer and drain backups will be denied unless there is proven negligence on the part of the District.

Recommended Backup Guidelines

Sewer Backups

Notices and Forms

Public Records Request Form

Don't Flush

This information is provided courtesy of the Colorado Special Districts Property and Liability Pool.Find more information online at coveryourflush.com.

Here is a list of things you should avoid washing down your drain, sink, or toilet. Everything here has  reportedly been found in municipal sewer systems at one point or another!

Don't Flush

Always use your best judgment when washing things down a drain. Avoid flushing fatty, oily, greasy or sticky substances that might clog your service line.

Consult your insurance, plumbing, and sanitation utility professionals for additional information.

Just because it’s not on this list doesn’t mean you should flush it!

Biodegradable’ products don’t degrade fast enough for you to flush! They should go in the garbage and will degrade at the landfill.

Use boiling water or dish detergents like Dawn® to help degrease your pipes and prevent blockages from forming.

Don’t buy the hype! ‘Disposable’ tampons and personal wipes should not be flushed! They are prime culprits in large blockages.