City of Powell River has pulled three sewage system pumps for cleaning since the COVID-19 emergency began escalating because wet wipes have plugged them up.
In a media release from the city, director of infrastructure Tor Birtig stated: “We absolutely want people to follow preventative sanitation during this crisis, but wet wipes are not to be flushed down the toilet and into our system. Please, put them in the garbage.”
The release stated that the response to the COVID-19 pandemic has led to some people panic-buying cleaning supplies and paper products in Powell River, resulting in empty shelves in grocery stores, but the wipes many are stocking are not made to be flushed.
Toilet paper disintegrates into pulp when flushed, making it easy for it to move through the sewage system or septic treatment, according to the release. Flushable wipes do not have a similar structure and should be disposed of in the garbage.
The release stated that to allow sewers to operate properly residents should not flush wipes, paper towels, hygiene products or any other paper products down the toilet. When residents flush these items, it seriously impacts the sewer infrastructure through build-up, clogging and attracting other solids. The city is then forced to find and extract these blockages.
“In this challenging time when we are spending more time at home as we do our part, we must be conscious that our homes have to function,” stated Birtig. “The last thing we need is to have the sewer lines clog and essential services stretched as we work to serve the public’s needs. We thank you for your assistance.”
