Bullhead City wastewater staff warn that wipes and debris are clogging pumps, costing about $40,000 per replacement

City wastewater staff in Bullhead City urged residents to stop flushing wipes and other debris after showing video of material that has repeatedly clogged pumps and equipment.

In a recorded announcement, John Trequato, who works in the City of Bullhead City wastewater division, said only three things should be disposed of in the sewer system: "human waste, toilet paper, and gray water." He warned that items such as baby wipes, disposable wipes, paper towels, napkins, plastic bags, razor casings and tampon applicators have been found in the system and can cause major backups.

Trequato and other city presenters showed images of clumps of wipes and plastic removed from drying beds and pumps. "It plugs our pumps and then it's labor and pulling the pump and labor and diagnosing it," Trequato said. He estimated the city has had to replace "two or three pumps at the beginning of that plant" at a cost of about $40,000 apiece.

City staff described the downstream consequences: blocked pumps require labor to remove, possible contracting with outside companies for repairs, and taxpayer cost for replacement and service calls. The message repeated across multiple segments was an appeal to residents and visitors to avoid flushing anything besides the three allowed items.

The announcement also described the visible contents crews have removed from the system: plastic bags, wipes, pencils, candy wrappers and pieces of Styrofoam, and said many items are sold or marketed as "flushable" despite causing damage.

The city did not announce a new ordinance or enforcement action in the video; presenters framed the material as a public-education effort to reduce avoidable maintenance costs and sewer backups.

City contact information and images were shown for residents with questions about sewer disposal practices.