Increase In Non-Flushable Items In Wastewater System

Dr. Ashish Jha and Dr. David Brett-Major answer coronavirus questions on 'America's News HQ'.

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As retail stores work to re-stock the shelves with toilet paper, the city of St. Cloud is reminding everyone that only toilet paper can be flushed.

As a result of the toilet paper shortage, people could be resorting to using other products such as paper towels, napkins and baby wipes. "Flushing wipes, paper towels, or other paper products not intended for use in wastewater systems can lead to sewer backups and in-home plumbing issues which may be expensive to fix". "While EPA encourages disinfecting your environment to prevent the spread of COVID-19, never flush disinfecting wipes or other non-flushable items".

If you are flushing those paper products down your toilet, Hodel says you're just asking for trouble.

Fixing these backups is costly and takes time and resources away from the essential mission of wastewater treatment systems and employees which is to provide clean and reliable water to everyone who needs it.