Don’t flush disposable disinfecting wipes

The Covid-19 pandemic could end up causing considerable damage to municipal water systems.

It’s due to an increase in people buying disposable disinfecting wipes, and then flushing them down the toilet.

Municipalities, like the City of Kelowna, are reminding residents to dispose of them in the garbage.

City staff say wipes, along with things like dental floss, paper towels and feminine hygiene products, can wreak havoc on residential pipes and the overall system because they dont break down like toilet paper.

“They contribute to troublesome clogs because they do not break down the same way that toilet paper does,” said Ed Hoppe, water quality and customer care supervisor. “A clog can cause a residential system back-up resulting in localized flooding and property damage. More significant clogs at the wastewater treatment facility can damage infrastructure resulting in costly repairs and potential interruptions in essential service.”

“We share residents’ concerns about the current situation and recognize that everyone is taking extra precautions to ensure that hands and surfaces are clean and disinfected,” said Hoppe. “While this is an important step in helping to reduce the spread of the virus, it is also extremely important to remember that any type of disposable wipe, including baby wipes and wipes that are labelled as flushable, must go into the garbage and not be flushed into the sewer system.”