White River Junction — A clump of flushable rags created a blockage in the sewer system of the wastewater facility off Latham Works Lane on Tuesday morning, resulting in the discharge of about 50 gallons of sewage into the storm water system that drains into the Connecticut River.

Hartford Public Works employees self-reported the incident to the Agency of Natural Resources, Assistant Director Everett Hammond said Tuesday afternoon.

“That is not a substantial amount,” Hammond said. “However, any amount that gets into the state waters is a reportable amount, so we reported it.”

Hammond said that the flushable rags gummed up a sump pump in a pit in the public works building, causing an overflow that ran out the door, down the driveway, and into a storm water drain.

The heavy cloth rags, of the sort used to wipe a baby or apply bug repellent, have been a common complaint of sewage system managers all across the country, who say the product tends to catch on pipes and pumps, creating blockages.

Industry representatives have maintained that their products are designed to be flushed.

The Hartford clog was identified at about 6:30 a.m., and the sewage was directed into a bypass within 15 minutes, according to the report. 

It was the only such incident reported in Hartford this year.

Matt Hongoltz-Hetling can be reached at mhonghet@vnews.com or 603-727-3211.