Utility urgers people not to flush wipes in ‘loo’ of toilet paper

As toilet paper flies off supermarket shelves, people are scrambling to find anything suitable to replace it but that could cause another major problem.

Empty shelves of toilet paper at Woolworths Brighton. Picture: Matt Deighton

SHORTAGES in toilet paper on supermarket shelves has the potential to cause havoc in private plumbing.

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Utility Unitywater, which provides sewage treatment services for the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay and Noosa area, has warned the panic-buying of toilet paper due to coronavirus fears has left some resorting to using wet wipes instead.

However they have urged people not to flush the toilet paper alternatives down the loo.

“We don’t mind what you wipe with, but if it’s not toilet paper, please ensure you put it in the bin,” Unitywater Executive Manager Customer Delivery Rhett Duncan said.

People who can’t get their hands on toilet paper at the moment are being urged not to flush substitutes like wipes down the toilet.

“We’ve heard of people cutting up old clothes or using newspaper, and while this might ‘do the job’, if you flush them down the toilet, you could cause blockages or sewage overflows in your home. Not only are these unpleasant, but can be expensive for homeowners to fix.

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“Similarly, wet wipes, paper towels and tissues can create fatbergs or blockages when flushed and even if they say ‘flushable’, they don’t break down like toilet paper does. Please ensure they go in the bin.”

Mr Duncan said flushing items other than the Three Ps (pee, poo and toilet paper) could also cause issues in the wider sewerage system.

“Unfortunately, we have to deal with blockages which not only damage our infrastructure and impact how it operates, but it also means we have to divert our crews from other important jobs across our systems.”

Similarly Redwater — which provides sewage treatment services for the Redland City Council area — has also reminded people not to flush things like personal wipes and towelettes, nappies, sanitary materials and rags because of the risk of damage to pumps and pipes if flushed.

“If people need to use items other than toilet paper, they are advised to wrap and dispose of them without flushing them down toilets,” a Redland City Council spokeswoman said.

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