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Bullhead City wastewater staff: wipes and non‑flushables repeatedly damage pumps, cost taxpayers thousands
Summary
City wastewater staff warn that disposable and "flushable" wipes and other items clog pumps at the wastewater plant. Public works employee John Trequato said the city has replaced two to three pumps at about $40,000 each in some years and urged residents not to flush wipes or non‑sewer items.
John Trequato, a wastewater division employee for the City of Bullhead City, warned in recorded city messages that only three items should be flushed: human waste, toilet paper and gray water. “Please do not flush any disposable or non disposable wipes, baby wipes, paper towels, napkins, or any other paper or non paper products as this will cause a major sewer backup,” Trequato said.
Trequato described the material that staff find in pumps and drying beds: plastic bags, razors, pencils, candy wrappers, pieces of styrofoam and “hundreds and hundreds of tampon plastic applicators.” He said those materials form clumps that plug pumps and can burn up motors. Trequato said the city has had to replace “two or three pumps at the beginning of that plant” at a cost of about $40,000 apiece in some years.
Wastewater staff showed examples of collected debris in drying beds and described the labor required to pull pumps, diagnose damage and, when necessary, send equipment out for repairs. Trequato framed the issue as avoidable taxpayer expense: “We’re talking minimum $40,000… of taxpayers dollars that can be avoided very easily,” he said.
The recorded message urged residents to dispose of wipes and non‑sewer items in the trash and not the sewer. It stressed that flushing unsuitable items can cause major sewer backups and lead to maintenance costs and service interruptions.
Ending: City wastewater staff reiterated the simple disposal guidance — only human waste, toilet paper and gray water should enter the sewer — and urged residents to use the trash for all wipes and disposable sanitary products to avoid costly pump damage.
