Welcome to the Summer of Sewer!
Published on June 06, 2025
A growing problem in Los Alamos County and throughout the country, sewer backups are an unpleasant headache for all involved. The Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is tackling the problem head on through its “Summer of Sewer” community education campaign.
For the month of June, the Communitree in the Los Alamos County Municipal Building is decorated for the Summer of Sewer. It reminds us about what should not be flushed down toilets or washed down drains. Two big causes of sewer clogs are “flushable” wipes, which are not truly flushable, and kitchen grease. Though wipes may be biodegradable, they don’t degrade fast enough to get through tree roots and other obstructions in sewer pipes. Kitchen grease, like bacon grease and oily cheeses, are often washed down with hot water but eventually solidify further down the pipeline and cause blockages. Wipes and grease should be disposed of in the trash.
Folks who visit the Communitree can sign DPU’s Clean Pipeline Challenge cards to receive a free roll of bamboo toilet paper. This type of toilet paper is not only sustainably produced and packaged, but it also biodegrades well in sewer pipelines. Los Alamos County and DPU have both adopted strategic plans that place value on environmental stewardship. Among the benefits of this type of toilet paper are that it supports rapid renewability and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and it has fewer chemicals than other toilet papers. Also, it is wrapped in paper rather than plastic. (Reminder: Plastic Free July is right around the corner!)
At Sciencefest’s Discover Day on June 21, DPU’s Gas, Water, & Sewer Division crew will be hosting a sewer pipe demonstration that was a big hit at the 4th Grade Water Festival in May. The demonstration features clear sewer pipes. One is free of debris, one has tree roots in it, and the third has tree roots and other debris. This demonstration allows the community to see what happens inside the pipes when different types of materials are sent into them.
At Earth Day and the Farmers Market, DPU staff encouraged patrons to play a game to test their knowledge of how to dispose of a variety of items that have been found in sewer pipes or wastewater treatment equipment.
There are limited spaces left for the June 11 public tour of the White Rock Water Resource Reclamation Facility (WRRF), also known as the wastewater treatment plant. If you’re interested, you may sign up at ladpu.com/tour.
Among DPU’s other educational sewer resources are its Don’t Flush That webpage, a Sewer Horrors board on Pinterest, and several recent bill inserts. Links to these resources can be found at ladpu.com/links.
DPU Pipefitter II Ricardo Lambert demonstrates what can go wrong in sewer pipes to a group of students at the 4th Grade Water Festival.