NON--FLUSHABLES CLOGGING SEWERS

Non-Flushables Clogging Sewer System

Reports are emerging on social media of people buying up on wipes, a product that can damage pipes and cause “fatbergs” to form in sewerage systems.

Toilet paper is specifically designed to break down quickly in the sewer system. Flushing wipes down the toilet, whether labelled ‘flushable’ or not, can cause problems with your plumbing and can contribute to blocked sewers. These can be very expensive problems to fix – bills for households can be in the thousands and it’s estimated that water authorities spend $15m each year removing wipes from pipes and pumps.

It is especially important to those properties with grinder pumps where any material can clog the pump impeller and cause expensive pump damage or motor burnout.

Please refrain from flushing wipes, paper towels, newspaper or rags down the toilet.

If you don’t have toilet paper, you can use washable cloth baby wipes or rags. If the cloth is soiled, hold it by one end and swish it around in a clean toilet to remove solids, toss in the trash or a bucket or pail and wash later.