Wipes Clog Pipes!

Flushable cleaning wipes are not so flushable, despite their advertisements. They do not break down as quickly as toilet paper when flushed and can cause severe clogs, sewer backups, and can damage sewer lines and pumps.

These clogs and sewer backups can lead to increased user fees for residents, but the costs can be even higher if the backups occur in your home.

Example of “flushable” wipes clogging a sewer pipe.

The international water industry has issued a statement on “flushables”, emphasizing that only the 3 P’s – Pee, Poo, and toilet Paper – should be flushed.  Everything else should go into a trashcan.

Key requirements for flushables are that they:

• break into small pieces quickly
• must not be buoyant
• do not contain plastic
• only contain materials which will readily degrade in a range of environments

With your help we can prevent problems with sewer, pipe and toilet blockages, as well as reduce the human and environmental costs of sewer flooding and pollution!

To view the full position statement of the International water industry, click here:  International Flushability Statement (PDF)