Can I flush the toilet paper in Patagonia?
The answer to this question is a bit tricky as “La Patagonia” resides in two nations and is larger than the entire state of Texas. As a general rule, you should NOT flush used toilet paper down the toilet, but instead, deposit it in the wastebasket.
If you notice a separate trash bin within arms-reach of the toilet, you should deposit used toilet paper into this canister, if not, flush it down the toilet.
However, there are many caveats and exceptions to this, such as:
Most modern resorts are flushable
Cities that are ‘tourist hotspots’ are more flushable, especially in the ‘foreigner areas’
Upscale lodging/buildings you can generally flush the TP down the drain
Map created by Pedal Chile - Data sourced from EPI’s ranking of wastewater treatment. Chile is 12th & Argentina is 82nd while the USA is 39th.
4 primary factors for flushing
Four primary factors affect whether you can flush the used toilet paper:
Cause of blockages in sewers
Does the building have modern plumbing with proper piping and fittings
Might not have ‘velocity’ to actually handle it without frequent clogging
Is the toilet hooked up to a proper sewage system
Size and age of the septic system
Disintegration of the toilet Paper
pH of water
low-softness, two-ply tissues don’t disintegrate in the sewage sytem very well
Septic Servicing & Flushing
Just because the systems can handle the used TP, doesn’t mean that it’s customary to flush it down. Expensive maintenance and servicing of the septic system could be the primary reason for trashing it…..as operation problems arise in sewage systems from flushables.
Can I flush the toilet paper in Chile’s Patagonia?
Chile is ranked 12th out of 180 countries for its EPI Wastewater Treatment ranking:
The EPI Wastewater Treatment ranking is based on the percentage of wastewater that undergoes at least primary treatment
Chile’s wastewater treatment score = 99/100
The United States - Ranked 39th/180 with a score of 93/100 (for comparison)
Argentina’s score = 72/100
Penguins near Punta Arenas, Chile - they not flushing either
Most of Chile is very modern and flushable, especially around Santiago and Valparaiso, the populous hub for Chile, as these two cities are home to over 90% of the country’s population.
However, it’s still not that uncommon to see restrooms where you have to trash your used tissue paper. Chile has many towns in Patagonia that are remote and only are serviced by small septic systems, as a result, you will have to trash your poo.
Fushing Advice from the U.S. Embassy
I contacted the United States Embassy in Santiago, Chile, and asked them about flushing toilet paper:
Toilet and trash can for discarded toilet paper
“Flushing toilets is absolutely fine, but note that used toilet paper is most often deposited in a wastebasket and not in the toilet. You will note a small wastebasket in each stall of most public toilets. The systems are much more susceptible to overflow.” - (emphasis mine)
It should be pointed out that this quote from the Embassy is referring to public toilets.
The Chilean Patagonia has areas with modern wastewater treatment plants and flushable toilets, such as the city of Punta Arenas, near the Drake Passage where the entire city is basically flushable.
Can I flush the toilet paper in Argentina Patagonia?
El Chaltén - Patagonia
Generally speaking, the plumbing and wastewater treatment is not quite as good in Argentina as Chile.
According to the EPI Wastewater Treatment rankings, Argentina is ranked 82 out of 180 countries.
Argentina is ranked 82/180 with a score of 72/100
For comparison, the United States EPI ranking is 39/180 with a score of 93/100
Chile is ranked 12/180 with a score of 99/100
Argentina has many regions where you cannot/shouldn’t flush toilet paper. However, most toilets in Argentina’s Patagonia you can flush the paper down. But with that being said, you will still find numerous areas where you will need to discard your TP in the bucket.
How to know when flushing is a no-go?
Note the trash-bin….no flushing TP down in this bathroom.
Signs will politely ask you to trash your used TP
Wastebasket within arms-reach of toilet
Are you in a public restroom or local establishment? If yes, then chances are you will not be flushing
Public Restrooms & TP
Many public restrooms in both Chile and Argentina don’t supply toilet paper..so keeping a roll on you is generally recommended.
Final Thought
According to the EPI rankings for wastewater treatment, Chile ranks 27 spots higher than the United States and also ranks 70 spots ahead of Argentina. However, we are talking specifically about La Patagonia. You will find many places where you can flush and others where you cannot.
I have been to many places in Patagonia, and it's always a crapshoot (no pun intended). Just be both respectful and mindful of the customs of the establishment since they know the limits of their sewage system. You don’t want to be that person who floods out the entire place.
Jesse is Director of Pedal Chile and lives in Chile’s Patagonia (most of the year). Jesse has a Master of Science in Health and Human Performance. Hobbies: MTBer & snowboarder and an avid reader of nonfiction and academic articles.
Sources:
Epi.envirocenter.yale.edu. 2020. Environmental Performance Index. [online]
Epi.envirocenter.yale.edu. 2020. Environmental Performance Index. [online]
Gallego-Schmid, A. and Tarpani, R., 2019. Life cycle assessment of wastewater treatment in developing countries: A review. Water Research, 153, pp.63-79.
Water Science and Technology, 1996. Operational problems of wastewater filtration plants - their analysis and possible solutions. 34(3-4).