The Environmental Protection Agency has some words of wisdom for the public during the coronavirus pandemic: Don’t try and flush anything other than toilet paper.
“While EPA encourages disinfecting your environment to prevent the spread of COVID-19, never flush disinfecting wipes or other non-flushable items,” the agency said in a news release Monday, adding that flushing such items could damage sewer and septic systems. The release comes as many grocery stores are struggling to keep toilet paper on the shelves as the public hoards the product amid the pandemic.
“Having fully operational wastewater services is critical to containing COVID-19 and protecting Americans from other public health risks,” the agency said, noting fixing backups is costly and time-consuming.
It isn’t the first time the EPA has issued such a warning. The EPA’s Office of Water has cautioned the public over social media a number of times in recent weeks, noting that items such as paper towels and disinfectant wipes aren’t designed to break down in wastewater. “Toilets are not trash cans,” the office tweeted March 24.
Municipalities and plumbing services are also taking steps to discourage flushing items other than toilet paper. For example, Roto-Rooter, North America’s largest provider of plumbing, drain, and water cleanup services, sent out a note to customers recently saying flushing other items could back up toilets and indoor plumbing, according to NBC News.
“If you’re all out of toilet paper, there’s no perfect solution, but you should never flush with paper towels and napkins,” the company said.
