Fatbergs and BTP: Are you sabotaging your system?

Have you heard the expression “set up to fail”? It would be used in the case of a new staff person who isn’t provided with training or expectations; and it could be used in the case of Fatbergs and BTP.

What is a Fatberg? What is BTP?

Fatberg was a recently coined phrase I came across in an NBCNews.com article. Basically, the word is used to describe a ball of grease and wet wipes found clogging a sewer line. Shortly after that article ran, a second popped up, thus prompting a need for me to write this article.

BTP, on the other hand, is an acronym I created over a year ago that stands for Bad Toilet Paper. I define bad toilet paper as “Ultra” types that absorb water and dissolve so very slowly, they are more likely to clog sewer lines than flush through. It also describes that brown paper bag type toilet paper found in gas stations, but I digress. You can read more about Bad Toilet Paper Here.

If you are using “Ultra” style toilet papers and/or personal cleansing wipes, you are setting your sewer line up to fail. If you need proof, take a piece of toilet paper and put it in a glass of water and see how long it takes to dissolve. Do the same for a wipe. This is especially true if you have a low flush toilet.

Remember, you may be saving water, but by the time these products get to the city sewer line, or to your septic system, they are BIG trouble. The city is now needing to use extra water to push the items through and, I read, some cities are needing to purchase specialized equipment to grind up these items. Your tax dollars are being used to grind up products that are flushable, but not breaking down well.

Little Johnny can flush G.I. Joe’s all day long, but you don’t want them down the drain! They are technically flushable, but they are NOT good for the system, just like wipes and BTP.

Additionally, any product that can be thrown in the trash instead of put down the drain, should. So this would include feminine products, household cleansing wipes (those used for counters and glass), coffee grounds and more. These things will all eventually lead to the need for sewer repair.

If you have questions comments or just want to talk, please give us a call!