Public health officials in Washington state warned residents of the potential for “toilet rats” after record-setting floods hit the state earlier this month.
According to an advisory posted on Facebook on Thursday from the Seattle and King County public health department, floodwaters can displace rodents, sweeping them through combined sewer systems and occasionally into homes.
The Context
Historic flooding this month in Washington strained local infrastructure, broke levees, and prompted nearly 1,000 evacuations across the state.
With that flooding came renewed warnings about public sanitation and the need for community awareness—especially for homeowners in flood-prone neighborhoods. Modern plumbing design has reduced some risks, but the region’s older, combined sewers remain vulnerable when overwhelmed by heavy rain.
Rats entering homes via toilet plumbing is unusual but not unprecedented—particularly after severe storms compromise aging sewer systems.
What To Know
After December’s historic rainfall, the Seattle and King County public health department warned that floodwaters can sweep rodents into the sewer system and potentially into toilets.
The advisory highlighted that older neighborhoods, where sanitary and storm pipes connect, are especially at risk. Displaced rats, searching for dry ground, may travel through pipes and surface in homes.
In its advisory, the public health department recommended practical methods in case a resident sees a rat inside their toilet—illustrated in a comic.
Residents should stay calm, close the toilet lid, and flush. If flushing does not remove the rat, they are advised to pour dish soap into the bowl, which breaks the surface tension and aids the rodent’s exit when flushing again. If unsuccessful, officials recommend closing the bathroom door and contacting pest control services. Infographics issued by the health department detailed these steps and also advised reporting such incidents through the county’s website or via a dedicated hotline.
Seattle’s infrastructure includes combined sewer systems over 100 years old in some areas. When overwhelmed, these systems can cause overflows, sending a mixture of wastewater and stormwater into nearby bodies of water and leaving pipes vulnerable to rodent migration.
The Seattle Public Utilities and King County Wastewater Treatment Division reported more than two dozen combined sewer overflows occurred between December 8-15, following intense rainfall, local news station KUOW reported.
Experts noted that rats entering homes can present health risks due to the diseases they carry. The Seattle and King County public health department urged all residents to disinfect surfaces thoroughly after any rodent encounter and to avoid exposure to potentially contaminated water resulting from combined sewer overflows.
What Happens Next
The Seattle and King County public health department is continuing to monitor reports of rodents in toilets and will provide updates and further guidance as needed.
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