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Bullhead City wastewater staff warns flushable wipes are damaging pumps, cites roughly $40,000 replacement costs
Summary
City wastewater staff demonstrated debris pulled from sewer drying beds and said nonflushable wipes and other items are clogging pumps and causing recurring, costly repairs — roughly $40,000 per pump — and urged residents not to flush wipes or similar items.
City wastewater staff warned May 20 that nonflushable wipes and other debris are causing repeated sewer-pump failures and incurring large repair or replacement costs.
John Trequato, who identified himself as working in the City of Bullhead City wastewater division, showed what staff described as “clumps” of wipes, plastic bags, tampon applicators, razor blades, pencils, candy wrappers and other debris pulled from the system’s drying beds. Trequato said the material “plugs our pumps” and that 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 recent years.
"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 in the meeting. He said many of the items shown should be disposed of in the trash.
Staff and the city manager framed the issue as both a public-education and a cost-recovery problem: when contractors or residents damage city infrastructure, staff said the city may seek to recover costs for repairs; when residents flush inappropriate items, staff said the direct cost is borne by the utility and, ultimately, by ratepayers. Trequato estimated the repairs and associated labor created recurring annual costs.
Council did not take formal action on the item during the May 20 meeting; the presentation was included as part of the general public-information component of the evening. Wastewater staff reiterated the disposal guidance and urged residents to use trash rather than toilets for non-biodegradable items.
