Etowah County leaders are getting creative to solve a plumbing problem. Inmates in the Detention Center caused sewer blockage by flushing all types of items down the toilets. County leaders figured out a way to not only make it stop, but also save money for taxpayers.

With around 900 inmates, it’s one of the largest jails in the state.

Clothes, bed sheets, slippers, and plastics are all going down the drain. The total cost for flushing at the jail – around $113,000.

Here’s the plan: Limiting inmates – not only reduces the amount they can flush, but also saves the county tax payers a big chunk of change: around $40-50,000 every year.

Inmates are now using paper bags in the commissary and the county is considering a system that re-uses the water from washing machines.

County leaders say the problem is something every jail has faced. In Walker County, a similar problem has led to safety and health hazards. The problem was solved by taking away items from inmates – until they stopped putting them down the drain.

Source; ABC33/40