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

4 primary factors for flushing

Four primary factors affect whether you can flush the used toilet paper: 

1. Does the building have modern plumbing with proper piping and fittings

   • Might not have ‘velocity’ to actually handle it without frequent clogging

2. Is the toilet hooked up to a proper sewage system

3. Size and age of the septic system

4. Disintegration of the toilet Paper

   1. pH of water

   2. low-softness, two-ply tissues don’t disintegrate in the sewage sytem very well

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

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.

I contacted the United States Embassy in Santiago, Chile, and asked them about flushing 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?

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?

• 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.

More articles from Pedal Chile:

• Where exactly is Patagonia?

• Is Chile a Third World country?

• Is there craft beer in Chile?

Sources:

1. Epi.envirocenter.yale.edu. 2020. Environmental Performance Index. [online]

2. Epi.envirocenter.yale.edu. 2020. Environmental Performance Index. [online]

3. Gallego-Schmid, A. and Tarpani, R., 2019. Life cycle assessment of wastewater treatment in developing countries: A review. Water Research, 153, pp.63-79.

4. Water Science and Technology, 1996. Operational problems of wastewater filtration plants - their analysis and possible solutions. 34(3-4).