The mix clumps together and hardens, reducing flow through the pipes that carry wastewater to treatment plants. Without intervention, it can turn into a rock-hard, gigantic fatberg, bringing services to a standstill.

Think it couldn’t happen here? This photo was taken in Norfolk, at HRSD’s Virginia Initiative Wastewater Treatment Plant. This globby mix includes paper towels, baby wipes, cotton swabs, sanitary products, fabric softener sheets, and possibly the most common offender of all: disposable wipes, said Lacie Wever, community education and outreach specialist for the Hampton Roads Sanitation District.

These so-called “flushable” wipes, made of fibrous materials, do not break down the way toilet paper does. Flushing them is like flushing a handkerchief down the toilet.

Other household items that should never be flushed include cat litter, cigarette butts, diapers and diaper liners, dryer sheets, facial tissues, family planning products, feminine hygiene products, paper towels, toilet bowl scrubbing pads, dental floss (which can wrap around other items, creating monster-sized clogs), and kitchen food scraps and fats, oils and grease — “FOG.”

When a pipe clogs or equipment breaks down, untreated sewage can back up inside a home and outside into streets — where it can enter storm drains and waterways. A dangerous pollutant, untreated sewage can cause sudden increases in nitrogen and bacteria in a body of water, killing aquatic life (plants, fish, crabs and more), closing beaches and leading to health warnings on local seafood consumption.

“What you flush can impact our daily lives,” Wever said. “We often don’t think about what happens after water leaves our drains or toilets, but it’s important to understand that wastewater sanitation has an impact on public health and the health of our waterways.”

Clogged pipes and backups can also be expensive. If a clog occurs in the home’s plumbing, the responsibility and cost of repairs falls on the homeowner or resident. If a backup occurs in the municipal sanitary sewer line, we all bear the cost of repairs in the form of the utility fees we pay. We’re all responsible for protecting this system.

Something as simple as not flushing trash can have a significant impact. Wever said it best: “Only your personal business and toilet paper should be flushed down the toilet.”

Don’t flush

• Cat litter
• Cigarette butts
• Cotton swabs
• Dental floss
• Diapers and diaper liners
• Dryer sheets
• Facial tissues
• Fats, oils, grease and food scraps from the kitchen
• Family planning products
• Feminine hygiene products
• Paper towels
• Toilet bowl scrubbing pads
• Wipes (even if labeled flushable) — including baby wipes, personal hygiene wipes and all-purpose cleaning wipes

Katie Cullipher and Rebekah Eastep are team leaders of the askHRgreen.org public awareness and education campaign for the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission. For more ways to make an environmental difference in Hampton Roads, visit askHRgreen.org.

Why not host a get-together that’s easier on the planet? It’s easy with items you have on hand — and a plan for dining and cleanup.

A good first step is to avoid single-use plastic. Plastic plates, cups, cutlery and straws are “one and done” and not recyclable. They end up in the garbage, then the landfill. They can be pricey, too.

Think about going “retro chic” instead.

An outdoor party is a good excuse to pull out dinnerware you already have. With dishes, a vase of cut flowers and other decor treasures arranged on a fabric tablecloth, the effect is one of style and good sense. Or, for a small investment, buy less-fragile bamboo plates that can be washed and reused.

For serving drinks, party cups can easily tip and are not recyclable. Paper cups get soggy and have a waxy coating that also bars recycling. The best bet is short, sturdy glass tumblers with an ample base. Off-price home décor stores and thrift stores keep such items well stocked and at a fair price. You can also consider going BYOC, asking guests to bring their preferred cup.

As for Styrofoam cups, plates, takeout containers and coolers, just say no. The polystyrene is slow to degrade. If disposed of improperly, it can leach chemicals, harming water and soil. Instead, stow ice and drinks in aluminum tubs that you can use again for other parties. Or use pitchers or a dispenser with a spout. This way, you can mix drinks in large batches rather than buying individual cans or plastic bottles.

For the menu, avoid food waste by planning realistic portions.

If you plan burgers or other greasy, oily foods, take care with the cleanup. Scrape leftovers into the trash (not the sink) to keep fats, oils and grease from entering the drain. When this “FOG” cools, it solidifies and can back up in pipes — or the neighborhood, if communal sewage lines get blocked. Dispose of standing grease in dishes and grill trays by pouring it into a sealable container, then toss that into the trash.

Designate separate, marked containers for trash and recyclables, and if pets are part of your party, leave no “business” unattended. Use a bag to pick up their waste and dispose of it in the trash.

After all the fun, and when the last guest leaves, pull up a lawn chair and take a breather. You’ve just thrown a party that was low in waste and high in style.

Katie Cullipher and Rebekah Eastep are team leaders of the askHRgreen.org public awareness and education campaign for the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission. For more ways to make an environmental difference in Hampton Roads, visit askHRgreen.org.

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Quick tips for picnics, pool parties and cookouts

• Minimize food waste: Plan a realistic menu.
• Mix beverages in large batches and serve them from pitchers and dispensers, not in single-use cans and bottles.
• Avoid single-use plastic and Styrofoam partyware. Get creative with your own dishes and serving pieces.
• Place clearly marked bins to collect recyclables and trash separately.
• For cleanup, pour grease into a sealable container, let it solidify and toss that in the trash.

Seems like clean water is always there when we need it. But we’re fortunate to have it — especially clean water to drink — and we can’t take it for granted.

To highlight the importance and reliability of drinking water — and the people who “work for water” — the American Water Works Association marks Drinking Water Week, May 5-11. Communities across the United States celebrate this observance early each May, and it is supported in Hampton Roads through the askHRgreen.org environmental awareness and education initiative.

So where does all this life-sustaining water originate?

Depending on where you live, it may come from surface sources, such as reservoirs, lakes and rivers, or from groundwater. And for the more than 1.5 million people in Hampton Roads, this water is served to their tap by the region’s public water systems, the robust, often unseen, network of people and pipes working around the clock to collect, store, treat and deliver it.

Water from the source must be pumped through huge pipes to a treatment plant, where impurities are removed and germs are killed. Once the water is clean, it is pumped through another network of pipes and storage facilities to flow from our faucets on demand.

The municipal water utilities are supported by 12 water treatment plants, with more than 50 wells and 23 reservoirs storing more than 34 billion gallons of water. Keeping all these processes running are dedicated professionals who think about water daily, so the average person never has to.

Drinking Water Week raises awareness about these public water systems; it also encourages us to avoid wasting water.

Leaving a faucet dripping or a toilet running, or overwatering the lawn, puts unnecessary stress on water resources, not to mention your bank account. Here are ways you can use water wisely:

• Check for leaky faucets and toilets (fixing leaks is a big water saver).
• Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth.
• Wash only full loads of dishes and laundry.
• Take shorter showers or use less water to fill the bathtub.
• Replace thirsty lawns with drought-tolerant Virginia native plants.

Katie Cullipher and Rebekah Eastep lead the askHRgreen.org public awareness and education campaign for the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission. For more ways to make an environmental difference on any day, visit askHRgreen.org.

Like many daily activities, car washing can harm local waterways if not done properly. Here is what you need to know to get your car sparkling clean without polluting nearby water sources.

When washing cars at home on a paved surface, such as a driveway or the street, the cleaning chemicals, motor oil, grease and dirt run off directly into storm drains. Storm drains lead straight to local rivers and streams without any treatment. Today’s grimy car might be tomorrow’s grimy river.

The most waterway-friendly way to wash cars is also the easiest: Visit a commercial car wash. Commercial car washes collect dirty wash water and send it to a water treatment plant instead of a storm drain. This prevents dirt, cleaning products, automotive fluids and other pollutants from entering waterways. That is what we like to call working smarter, not harder.

If you are a committed do-it-yourselfer, know there are still ways to reduce the impact on waterways:

• Wash the car on gravel or grass, which gives the dirty wash water a chance to filter naturally into the ground instead of running directly into the storm drain.
• Use a hose nozzle to restrict water flow and use less water — and cut your water bill.
• Never leave the hose running on the ground while you wash.
• Check the car wash soap to make sure it is non-phosphate and non-toxic, then use only what is recommended on the label.
• When done, dump the soapy water down a utility sink or toilet, not on the ground or into storm drains.

If your group or organization has a car was fundraiser in mind, consider this: it is easier on the environment (and you, too) to sell commercial car wash coupons instead. There is no worry about rain cancellations, and your supporters can use the coupons at their convenience.

If you have your heart set on the sweat equity of an in-person car wash, askHRgreen.org has a no-cost solution: a free fundraiser car wash kit, available to check out. It includes drain mats, hoses and a water pump. When assembled, it redirects dirty wash water into a grassy area; the water can soak into the ground and away from storm drains.

Everyone benefits from clean waterways. And who doesn’t like a little extra time to enjoy the bay, lake or beach instead of laboring to wash the car?

Katie Cullipher and Rebekah Eastep are team leaders of the askHRgreen.org public awareness and education campaign for the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission. For more ways to make an environmental difference in Hampton Roads, visit askHRgreen.org.

Not only is geese poop unsightly and smelly, but it also contributes to water pollution, presenting a risk to public health with disease-causing bacteria including C. botulinum, salmonella and E. coli.   In addition, tossing stale bread, crackers, popcorn and other high-carbohydrate human foods to geese can cause poor health and deformities for the geese, such as “angel wing.” This irreversible condition causes the bird’s wing to stick out from the side, rather than lying against the body, and can prevent the bird from flying.

Canada geese populations are protected under federal and state laws, which limit what can be done to control their numbers. To prevent them from becoming a nuisance bird, the best thing to do — for them and for natural resources — is to not feed them.

According to the National Audubon Society, wild geese can access plenty of food in their habitat to sustain their diet of stems, grass shoots, sedges and aquatic plants, along with seeds, berries and grains. Occasionally they may eat insects, mollusks, crustaceans and small fish.

To help local geese reach safe open spaces where they can graze on their natural diet, consider these strategies:

• Do not feed the geese; they will find food on their own.
• Use signs to discourage public feeding of geese in areas where they congregate.
• Make the habitat unattractive for geese nesting by planting tall, thick, native plants on shorelines.
• Limit the amount of grassy open spaces around ponds and other water sources.
• Add 24-inch barrier fencing with 3-inch openings around ponds and water sources.
• Use humane geese repellent sprays where geese tend to congregate.
• Curb geese with noisemakers, professional herding dogs or predator decoys.

And please, do not harass geese during molting season, which is late June to August.

On a final note, geese work well as a team. They fly together in V formation, communicate with one another and look out for their teammates when one is sick or injured. Being this smart, they can also find food on their own. Letting these birds fend for themselves is good for the goose, the gander — and the environment.

Katie Cullipher and Rebekah Eastep are team leaders of the askHRgreen.org public awareness and education campaign for the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission. For more ways to make an environmental difference in Hampton Roads, visit askHRgreen.org.

To check for leaks in the home, follow these steps:

• Start by looking at your water bill from a colder month. There are probably serious leaks if a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons per month.
• Identify toilet leaks by placing a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank. There’s a leak if any color appears in the bowl after 15 minutes.
• Check for fixture surface leaks by examining faucet gaskets and pipe fittings for water on the outside of the pipe. Shower head leaks are obvious — and easy to fix, requiring a few tools and hardware.
• For homes with an in-ground irrigation system, check it each spring for damage from frost or freezing. An irrigation system of 1/32nd of an inch in diameter (about the thickness of a dime) can waste about 6,300 gallons of water per month.
• Turn on the garden hose to see if there is a leak in the connection to the spigot. If so, replace the nylon or rubber hose washer and fit it tightly to the spigot using pipe tape and a wrench.
• Look for signs of wall cracks, mold, mildew and odor, and call a professional to locate the leak source and assess the situation.

In many cases, fixture replacement parts pay for themselves quickly and can be installed by do-it-yourselfers or plumbing professionals. Waiting to make the repairs could work against you. Left unattended, leaks can damage surrounding walls and structures.

While devoting a week to finding and fixing water leaks is a good annual reminder, it is wise to check year-round. Not only do we rely on water for cooking, cleaning and drinking, water is the foundation for health care, fire protection, and industry and business throughout Hampton Roads. The longer we wait to fix a leak, the more these resources will go down the drain.

Katie Cullipher and Rebekah Eastep are team leaders of the askHRgreen.org public awareness and
education campaign for the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission. 

More than 80% of the world’s flowering plants need insects such as bees to spread pollen and help the plants produce fruit and seed, according to farmers.gov. Some of the most common pollinators — bees, butterflies and moths — also serve as a snack for animals. The plants that lure pollinators also help stabilize the soil and filter water.

But what about gardeners who want beneficial plants but are allergic to bees? There are native plants that will attract butterflies, moths, dragonflies and hummingbirds — but not bees.

The buzz on bees and butterflies

Bees cannot see the same spectrum of colors that butterflies can, according to a “Selecting Plants for Pollinators” guide by the Pollinator Partnership, one geared to the Outer Coastal Plain Mixed Province ecological region.

Bees make a beeline for bright white, yellow and blue blossoms, so avoid plants with these vivid colors. Also consider the shape of the flower. Bees have round bodies and prefer flowers that allow them to land and drink the nectar. Avoid plants with shallow, tubular flowers such as fuchsia, trumpet vine and columbine.

Butterflies, however, can see a wide range of colors and gravitate toward bright red, yellow, orange, pink and purple flowers.

The Butterfly Society of Virginia suggests planting the following, which are accustomed to Southeastern Virginia’s climate: lantana and abelia shrubs; perennials such as verbena, purple coneflower, butterfly weed, Joe Pye weed, sedum and garden phlox; and annuals such as zinnia, impatiens, cosmos and vinca.

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Moths to flame

Moths also play a role in pollination. They gravitate to flowers that have strong, sweet scents and open in the late afternoon or night. Bees cannot see red or pink very well, but moths do. To attract moths, include plants with pale, dull red, purple, pink or white blossoms. Moths also prefer a tubular flower shape without a lip. Try planting impatiens, petunia and moonflower.

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Don’t forget hummingbirds

These birds are experts at siphoning nectar from the long tubular flowers of bee balm, salvia, coral honeysuckle and cardinal flower, according to the pollinators guide. Hanging red hummingbird feeders filled with sugar water (mix 4 parts water to 1 part sugar) will also lure these birds to the landscape, adding a supplemental nectar source — and entertainment for the gardener.

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Where to plant, and other stinging pests to consider

Where to plant and how to tend to gardens should also be considered when keeping stinging insects at bay. Gardening enthusiasts, regardless of whether they wish to avoid bees, should keep flowering, bee-friendly plantings away from communal areas such as patios, garden paths and play areas.

Trimming back overgrown trees and shrubs annually will deter bees and wasps, and sealing exterior holes or cracks in the home’s foundation will keep insects from building nests. Check for suspicious-looking holes in the ground or in hollow logs, which could be home to insects, including yellow jackets and hornets. Keep an eye out for wasps’ nests under sheds, in crawl spaces and in crevices around the home’s exterior. And be careful when mowing the lawn or trimming vegetation, activities that might arouse nesting bumblebees and other stingers.

Ah, the holidays. All the presents that arrived on our doorsteps in cardboard boxes, beautiful wrapping paper and ribbons, fresh greenery and decorative lights. While a wonderful time of the year, the season can also be the most wasteful — with paper, plastic packaging and decorations adding tons to landfills from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day.

How will you handle your own holiday cleanup? Before putting items out with the trash, consider whether your holiday accoutrements are reusable — for you or someone else — or recycable.

Next year’s treasures

Who remembers Grandma picking up and carefully folding wrapping paper after all the presents were opened? Wrapping paper, gift bags, ribbon and bows can be tucked away to use again next year. Cardboard shipping boxes are great for storing ornaments, holiday lights and décor. You can also break down boxes to store, because who knows when one will come in handy?

Speaking of handy, plenty of crafters turn holiday greeting cards into cool new items including tiny paper trees, ornaments, wreaths, magnets and coasters. Just run an online search for this topic and sharpen your scissors. You can also check with local creative reuse stores to see if they are interested not only in cards but also ribbon, paper, ornaments or holiday art supplies you are ready to retire.

Not crafty? These stationery items are accepted for recycling throughout Hampton Roads: cardboard boxes (broken down); greeting cards and envelopes without coating, glitter or foil; gift boxes and paper gift bags; and non-coated wrapping paper.

And please note that tissue paper and plastic padding for boxes are not recyclable. If you can’t reuse these, put them in the trash. Plastic gift cards are not recyclable either.

Holiday string lights

We are convinced that replacing burned-out bulbs on strands of lights is not humanly possible. Sometimes it seems easier to just chuck the lights in the trash. Instead, you can mail or ship them off for free recycling. In return, you will receive a coupon good for the purchase of new lights. You can find out more about recycling and rebate programs from these two sources: HolidayLEDs.com and tinyurl.com/LightRecycle. And when you are buying new, remember that LED lights are more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs, produce zero toxic elements and last longer.

Natural Christmas trees and greenery

And while it may feel sad to remove the tree at the end of the holiday, it is good to know that natural Christmas trees have more than one life when recycled. Some Hampton Roads localities collect and chip the trees into mulch or compost that is used to beautify public spaces.

Check the askHRgreen.org Christmas tree disposal guide, tinyurl.com/disposaltree, for details on your community’s seasonal collection program and instructions. (Trees should be free of ornaments, lights, tinsel and stands, of course.)

But perhaps a nicer option is to enjoy your tree a little longer by placing it in a quiet corner of your yard. There you can keep an eye on the wintering birds and woodland creatures that use it for shelter. You can also cut and drape branches to protect garden beds or shred pine needles to scatter on garden pathways and trails. That is a thoughtful send-off to the season, with zero waste.

Katie Cullipher and Rebekah Eastep are team leaders of the askHRgreen.org public awareness and education campaign for the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission. For more ways to make an environmental difference in Hampton Roads, visit askHRgreen.org

As team leaders of the askHRgreen.org initiative, we encourage residents to make good choices to protect local landscapes and waterways. We hope visitors will do the same.

Here are a few tips to make sure any trip you take is easier on you and the environment.

Getting around

If you’re heading out of town, check your destination’s public transportation. Light rail, subways, buses and electric bike or scooter rentals will often get you where you want to go with fewer emissions than driving. Many locales even have options like ferry boats, water taxis and horse-drawn carriages. Such methods can be less stressful than navigating roads in an area you don’t know. Bonus points for walking and biking: pure green, with zero emissions.

When seeing the sights

We like to say “leave no trace” when traveling. That applies whether you are exploring the backcountry of the Appalachian Trail, a sunny beach or a bustling downtown market. Make sure any trash you create is secured and does not end up as litter. Loose paper — receipts, brochures, napkins — is easily carried away by a gust of wind. It’s more common than you think to inadvertently leave behind food wrappers or drink bottles. That’s why packing a reusable water bottle is another tip. Most restaurants will offer free ice water if you ask.

And a word about mask litter: When your mask is off, stow it in your satchel or tuck it snugly in your pocket. Not only are masks unsightly as litter, but they also can clog storm drains and sewage systems, pollute waterways, and entangle and harm wildlife.

Hold the plastic

Dining out and trying new foods is part of the traveling adventure. But ask your server to skip the straw and coffee stirrers; these are used for seconds or minutes but last for decades in the environment. Pack a reusable straw or go without. If you are toting your takeout back to your hotel, make sure you have packed reusable utensils and skip the restaurant’s disposables, which are plastic wrapped in plastic. If you pick up a beverage to go, opt for bottled instead of fountain drinks. Plastic bottles are generally accepted everywhere for recycling and are better than a fountain drink with a single-use plastic cup, straw and lid.

Traveling with pets

If any of your travel companions are four-legged, be prepared with supplies to scoop the poop. It isn’t good etiquette to leave pet waste behind, whether at home or on vacation. Pets can also enjoy a free water refill if you pack a travel bowl. Collapsible silicone pet bowls are slim and lightweight.

Give thought to your destination

Finally, one of the biggest factors in having a sustainable travel experience is deciding where to go. AAA travel editor Sherry Mims suggests evaluating your destination to see whether sensitive areas are protected and attractions are overcrowded. You may have heard about the long lines of people visiting national parks this summer. Instead of the expense and emissions involved in what could be a disappointing visit, consider a staycation.

An eco-friendly packing list

* Reusable water bottle, straw and cutlery

* Pet waste bags and a collapsible water bowl

* Cloth shopping totes

* Electronic tickets downloaded to your device

* Your own toiletries in reusable containers

Katie Cullipher and Rebekah Eastep are team leaders of the askHRgreen.org public awareness and education campaign for the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission.

It’s hard to imagine life without it, not to mention the occasional beer you enjoy that’s at least 95% water as well.

That’s the exact point askHRgreen.org wanted to convey last month by inviting local coffee shops and breweries to participate in its annual “Imagine a Day Without Water” awareness campaign.

Twenty-six local businesses — from Gloucester to Virginia Beach and west to Smithfield — helped to spread our message by passing out coffee sleeves and coasters that encouraged patrons to imagine a day without their morning macchiato or favorite craft brew. It was a fun way to get across a serious message that we shouldn’t take water for granted.

In Hampton Roads, collecting, storing, treating and bringing water to and from homes and commercial enterprises is the job of the region’s municipal utilities and HRSD.

Our public water systems are supported by 12 drinking water treatment plants with over 100 wells and 23 reservoirs storing over 34 billion gallons of water. Once all this water is used, more than 1,500 pump stations carry sewage to the 13 wastewater treatment plants across the region.

These water and wastewater systems keep the region’s 17 cities and counties humming, from hotels to hospitals, factories to power plants, and car washes to aquariums.

If the water system breaks, however, it can be devastating. Maintaining these systems means we are also safeguarding our region’s public health, safety and economic vitality.

So how can we protect this most precious resource? At home, we can take shorter showers, wash only full loads, fix leak

s, pick up after our pets and keep leaves from entering storm drains.

Businesses can make a difference, too, by conducting a water audit to improve efficiency, outfitting restrooms and break areas with low-flow fixtures, and reducing landscape water use by planting drought-tolerant native plants.

While our region’s water and wastewater systems may be out of sight, they should not be out of mind. So, the next time you grab a coffee for your morning commute or have a beer after work with a friend, just imagine what life would be like without it.

Katie Cullipher and Rebekah Eastep lead the region-wide askHRgreen.org public awareness and education campaign for the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission.