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Bullhead City wastewater staff warn flushing wipes, tampons and plastics clog system; cite large repair costs
Summary
John Trequato of Bullhead City—s wastewater division urged residents not to flush wipes, plastic bags or tampon applicators, saying such items have plugged pumps and that avoiding them could prevent costly repairs estimated by staff at roughly $4,050,000 (minimum) if problems persist.
John Trequato, who identifies himself as a Bullhead City wastewater division worker, urged residents not to flush anything but human waste, toilet paper and gray water and showed drying-bed debris to illustrate the problem. He listed examples recovered from the system — baby wipes and other wipes, plastic bags, razors, pencils, candy wrappers, screws and pieces of styrofoam — and said the debris plugs pumps requiring labor to remove, diagnostic work and sometimes sending parts or units out for repair.
Trequato said the city has repeatedly replaced pumps and cited replacement costs of about $40,000 per pump; he additionally warned that outsourcing and repeated repairs could cost taxpayers "minimum $4,050,000" if the problem continues. The transcript records these dollar figures as statements by Trequato; no supporting budget documents or itemized invoices were presented in the recording.
The issue was framed as both a public-service appeal and a budget concern: Trequato said preventing nonflushable items from entering the sewer system will reduce labor and equipment costs. The public-record video does not show any formal council motion or vote tied to the wastewater remarks; the segment appears as a department informational presentation.
