Don’t flush wet wipes in run on toilet paper

09 March 2020

Sewer blockages rise when message forgotten

Council is appealing to all residents to take note that wet wipes should not be flushed as they block the Tweed sewer system.

The reminder comes as the #ToiletPaperCrisis continues to unfold.

“If you have had to use wet wipes because of the run on toilet paper, please put them in the bin for disposal in the rubbish as they do not break down in water and can block our sewers,” Manager Water and Wastewater Operations Brie Jowett said.

Council has had three types of wet wipes in water at its front counters since August 2017. On checking today after 31 months, the flushable wipe has begun to break down but the non-flushable wipe and the biodegradable wipe are still intact.

“It pays to see for yourself that these handy little items are a major hazard to your household sewerage pipes and Council’s sewer network. While they may disappear down the bowl, they stay intact within the network for years and can cause blockages, sewage overflows and thousands of dollars of damage to pipes and pumps.

“If they block the pipes on private property, the householder could face a hefty bill. If they block Council’s sewer network, the ratepayer pays.”

Every year, Australian water utilities estimate they spend more than $15 million removing wet wipes from Australian sewers.

“So please remember that wet wipes should not be flushed down the toilet. Only flush the four p’s – poo, pee, paper and puke. Put wet wipes in the bin,” Ms Jowett said.

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Caption: Council's Customer Service Officer Karen Bertram finds the flushable wet wipe is only just beginning to break down after 31 months in water.