This is not an insult to some citizens, as the municipality of Sainte-Brigitte-de-Laval has resigned itself to informing its population that underwear cannot be thrown into the toilet.
There is still evidence that sometimes it is necessary to remember this.
Due to a critical situation, the authorities of Sainte-Brigitte-de-Laval criticize the repeated blockage of sewage pumps due to surprising objects thrown into the toilets.
“For several months we have observed an increase in illegal waste being thrown into residential toilets. After several deployments of our teams to problem areas, the problem persists and has even gotten worse in recent months,” we read in an unsavory press release.
Photo provided by the city of Sainte-Brigitte-de-Laval
According to the municipality, large washcloths, disposable cleaning wipes and underwear continue to be thrown into the toilet, blocking pipes and causing serious blockages in the sewage system.
These improper practices cause significant damage to pumping equipment and, she says, lead to unscheduled repairs and major disruptions to the sewer system.
Photo provided by the city of Sainte-Brigitte-de-Laval
Saint-Brigitte sees this as having a direct impact on the city's finances and putting pressure on employees.
Citizens are therefore asked to act more responsibly.
“Although these behaviors were committed without any malicious intent, they take our teams a long time to resolve and are costly for Laval taxpayers,” explains Olivier Coulombe, director of the Public Works Department.
In 2024, the municipality repeats to citizens that it is crucial not to throw anything other than toilet paper down the toilet.
Here is the list of objects that accumulate and form blockages in pipes:
- rags,
- Underwear,
- feminine hygiene products,
- condoms,
- layers,
- body towels,
- household towels,
- Cotton swab,
- drugs,
- Hair,
- dental floss,
- To paint.
It is not clear from the press release whether these items could have been thrown directly into the area's sewer grates rather than through the toilets.
“Our sewers are not designed to deal with these objects,” concludes the municipality.
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