Do not flush wipes or similar products, as they ‘seriously affect the operations of sewer infrastructure,’ the district of Vanderhoof said in an sewer advisory to residents.
The district released the advisory to warn residents that when they flush ‘flushable wipes’, paper towels, swiffer pads, reinforced paper towers or hygiene related products, they cause ‘fatbergs.’
Fatbergs, a nickname given by wastewater operators who have to deal with these blockages, is a congealed mass in sewer systems formed by the combination of flushed non-biodegradable solid matter, such as wet wipes, and congealed grease or cooking fat, stated the advisory.
Due to the shortage of cleaning supplies and paper products in the Nechako region, consumers opted to purchase ‘flushable’ antiseptic wipes or similar products, the district said in their advisory.
For people wondering why ‘flushable wipes’ can’t be flushed, they are not designed to disintegrate, the district said.
Whereas toilet paper is designed to disintegrate into pulp and move easily through the process of sewage and septic treatment, “flushable wipes, swiffer wipes, and other products” are not designed to do the same.
“These products should be disposed off in your regular curbside garbage,” the advisory stated.
Hence, the district of Vanderhoof is “respectfully asking residents to be conscious of what you are flushing through our sewer lines as our homes have to function now more than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“The last thing we need is to have the sewer lines clog and essential services stretched as we work to serve the community’s need.”
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Aman Parhar
Editor, Vanderhoof Omineca Express
aman.parhar@ominecaexpress.com
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