Victorian sewers are blocked with paper towels and wet wipes as supermarkets across Australia have sold out of toilet paper.
Coliban Water, water and waste services provider, said the flushing of toilet paper alternatives creates wastewater spills of up to 20,000 liters.
When residents turn to wet pipes, paper towels and tissues when they visit the toilet, an expensive and extensive clean up will follow, said Coliban Water.
Steve Dunlop, the manager of customer operations, said: “We know they all look flushable, but the reality is, not all paper is created equally.
“Most of these products are designed to absorb water, not break down. They block the system and cost customers money.”
The service provider also reminded customers “only the three Ps can be flushed; pee, poo and toilet paper.”
Coliban Water estimated the consequence of sewer spills to cost up to $1.4 million of customer money every year.
Sydney Water urged everyone to throw their items in the trash can as some are throwing things into the toilet seat.
A woman previously paid $16,000 to repair her private pipes after she flushed facial tissues and wet pipes down the toilet.
Sydney Water spokesman Jackson Verson said: “People would be very surprised to know that facial tissues, although they are made from fine materials, do not break down and should not be flushed.”
Cotton buds, cleaning wipes, sanitary pads, left-over medication, dental floss, hair, make-up wipes and other items should not be flushed down the loo.
One internet user commented: “Your common sense should tell you not to put wipes and kitchen towel down the loo. It’s been said before to ignore what it says on the packet of those wipes – they are NOT flushable!”
Another wrote: “Should not use these wipes at all as they are going into landfill to sit there for centuries. Use a Washable cloth, a face washer….. and put it in the laundry/washing machine. Just like one does with …. Oh My God! ….. CLOTH NAPPIES!”
A third added: “Put them in the bin, it’s not hard.”
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Replaced!