Following several days of heavy rainfall, the City of Hardin is asking residents to help reduce strain on the city’s sewer system by being mindful of what is flushed down toilets and poured down drains.
According to Hardin City Secretary Patricia Johnson, the recent rains overloaded the city’s sewer system, leaving some pumps struggling to move wastewater through the lines.
Now that floodwaters have begun to recede, city crews have identified several issues caused by improper items entering the sewer system.
Under the City of Hardin’s Sewer/Wastewater Ordinance, residents are prohibited from flushing items such as tampon applicators, condoms, rags, towels, grease, cooking oils and similar materials. Patterson said grease remains one of the biggest problems, as these materials clog sewer lines and damage pumps, resulting in costly repairs and replacements.
The city is also reminding property owners that they cannot have open sewer lines in their yards where stormwater can freely enter the wastewater system. Excess stormwater infiltration places additional stress on the system during heavy rain events and increases the risk of sewer backups.
City crews are working to locate and repair infiltration issues throughout the sewer system to help prevent future problems.
The City of Hardin is asking residents to flush only toilet paper and to avoid pouring anything other than water down sink drains.
“We are working hard in trying to locate infiltration problems within our system so that we can fix these issues and prevent homes from backing up during rain events,” Johnson said.