City Experiencing Clogging Issues with Sewer Lines Due to Flushing of Wipes
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on March 24, 2020
The City of Bridgeport is asking residents to not flush anything down their toilet except toilet paper. Flushable wipes are not flushable.
Americans have become hooked on the convenience of these pre-moistened squares that are boldly labeled “flushable”. A lot of them end up down the toilet, and none are flushable no matter what the packaging states. They do not disintegrate the way toilet paper does. That's where it starts to cost local utilities and you money.
Companies currently advertise their wipes with terms like "safe for sewers and septic," or promise that the product will "break up like toilet paper." But this is simply not the case. While clogs can develop from any number of items, plumbers will now tell you that one of the most common causes of clogs today are moistened wipes. These wipes simply do not disintegrate as they move through your plumbing system. While one or two may move through the pipes, when you send multiple wipes down over time, the clogging begins.
The City is experiencing issues and currently working to unclog sewer lines due to “flushable wipes” around the city. We understand that during this pandemic, toilet paper may be hard to find; however, if wipes are necessary, please throw them away.
For the sake of your plumbing, either dispose of wipes in the trashcan or stop using them to avoid a messy and potentially expensive disaster. No matter what the packaging says, flushable wipes are not flushable.
Please keep the wipes out of the pipes. If you have questions, please call Bridgeport Public Works at 304-842-8206.
