During coronavirus toilet paper shortage, Lexington urges people not to flush wipes
Shortages of toilet paper caused by panic buying during the coronavirus outbreak means more people are turning to wipes as a go-to toilet paper replacement.
But the city of Lexington urged people Thursday not to flush wipes, baby wipes or paper towels. Those products do not break down and clog up sewer pipes and pump station equipment.
“Even if the package says ‘flushable,’ please don’t flush any wipes.“ said Rod Chervus, collections and conveyance manager for water quality . “Especially right now, when lots of people are using flushable wipes, it’s important to dispose of them correctly.”
When sewer system pipes are clogged, that means sewer overflows from manholes, city officials warned.
It’s not just the city’s sewer system equipment that can break down. Wipes and paper towels also can clog up plumbing at home, leading to a costly visit from a plumber, city officials warned.
Dispose of wipes and paper towels in a bathroom trash can, the city advised.
Other common bathroom items that can cause problems in the sewer include bleach wipes, baby wipes, floss, flossing picks, feminine hygiene products, rags and paper towels.
“Remember to securely tie and double bag this trash to keep our waste collectors safe,” the city said in a written release.
This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 10:59 AM.
