Wet Wipes Causes Blockage of Sewers in Gold Coast

GOLD Coast City Council has declared war on flushable wipes as the city’s sewerage system is choked with great mounds of disposable wet wipes costing ratepayers millions of dollars every year to remove

The city’s treatment plants are forced to shut down at least once a week, with the blockages causing sewage to overflow.

Gold Coast plumber Gary Mays described the wipes as an environmental nightmare.

“We are getting called out to 20 or 30 blocked drains a week,” Mr Mays said.

“People have got to stop flushing these wipes. It is causing massive problems. We have seen a huge increase and it is costing people thousands of dollars.”

Water authorities have held crisis talks with manufacturers to discuss ways to overcome what has become an expensive problem across the country.

Sydney Water blamed the problem on young men preferring to freshen themselves with baby wipes rather than toilet paper.

SYDNEY: Wet wipes block sewers

Water Services Association of Australia executive director Adam Lovell said the wipes were impregnated with moisturisers or oils and simply did not break down once flushed away.

“They’re not disintegrating like normal toilet paper does and that’s the big issue,” said Mr Lovell.

“Just put human waste and toilet paper down the toilet, that’s the clear message that we’re trying to put out.”

The association warned the pollution had also found its way into our waterways.

He said the issue extended to both cleansing and make-up removal wipes.

“They’re a woven fabric which won’t break down, whereas toilet paper starts breaking down almost immediately,” he said.

Gold Coast Hinterland and Environment Council campaign co-ordinator Lois Levy urged people to think before they flushed.

“The major problem with all these products is they do not break down adequately,” Ms Levy said.

“Ultimately it’s costing ratepayers money. In the old days we didn't have products like this and my kids survived just fine.

“People have got to start using products that are biodegradable.”

Mayor Tom Tate took aim at manufacturers labelling their products as flushable despite evidence they were causing damage to city infrastructure.

“Removing blockages caused by these wipes is a growing problem that comes at an enormous cost to local ratepayers,” Cr Tate said.

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• Urban Water Infrastructure
• Infrastructure Management
• Advanced Metering Infrastructure