California residents are being advised to stop flushing disinfecting wipes down the toilet during the coronavirus pandemic because of the blockage problems they can cause.
“They get snagged in the pipes and cause a build up, cause a blockage and overflow. Or they can get caught in a pump and stop the pump,” Wes Fredenburg, a vac truck operator for the San Rafael Sanitation District, told KPIX 5, a local CBS affiliate.
The State Water Resources Control Board in California released a statement about the harm coming from improperly discarded wipes.
“Flushing wipes, paper towels and similar products down toilets will clog sewers and cause backups and overflows at wastewater treatment facilities, creating an additional public health risk in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic,” the board said. “Even wipes labeled flushable will clog pipes and interfere with sewage collection and treatment throughout the state.”
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The public advised NOT to flush disinfecting wipes, paper towels down toilet – throw them away instead! State’s wastewater treatment plants may get overwhelmed, Consumers may face In-home plumbing backups and blockages. https://t.co/hMwsx0QPpB pic.twitter.com/vEkOyKR9fa
— CA Water Boards (@CaWaterBoards) March 17, 2020
Officials recommend people throw their wipes in the trash instead of the toilet, as a major concern is the slow buildup over time.
“The water board has issued this advice in a heightened interest to keep things operational. We’re bracing for it in case it becomes a cumulative problem,” said Bill Winter, assistant deputy director of Los Angeles County Public Works. “The best advice for wipes disposal is to put them in the trash.”
