8388_LGP_MechanicFalls_2022AnnualReport_Web

SANITARY DISTRICT

The Mechanic Falls Sanitary District has been in existence for 40 years. We currently serve 488 households in the town, which at the present time is slightly more than 2500 people. The Sanitary District helps to keep all the “bad stuff” out of the Little Androscoggin River. We process an average of 250,000 gallons per day, preventing over-flow to the river. Over-flow can happen in the Spring when snow melt combines with heavy Spring rain causing the flow to increase to approximately 800,000 gallons per day. One of the biggest problems facing the Sanitary District is caused by things that should not be flushed at all.

“Flushable” wipes is a very misleading marketing slogan, these products are made with bamboo fibers that take many years to break down. When flushed they can wrap around pipes causing blockages in the system. This photo shows a “flushable” wipe that was put in a jar of water in 2013, it took eight years to fully break down! Last year we disposed of nearly 600 pounds of items that should never have been flushed such as baby wipes, dental floss and other hygiene products. Please don’t flush these products as they put a tremendous strain on our delicate process. These things that can clog our system can also clog yours, potentially costing you money to have your plumbing fixed. Your wastewater treatment plant is part of the solution.

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