The Truth About Wet Wipes And Fatbergs
Do you know the truth about wet wipes and fatbergs?
Wet wipes are made of synthetic fabrics and are commonly used for cleaning and hygiene. Unfortunately, they are a major contributor to fatbergs, which are large masses of solid waste in sewer systems.
Sydney Water has some great education around wet pipes in pipes
What Are Wet Wipes
You may be wondering what wet wipes are. They are disposable wipes made of a combination of synthetic fibers and plastics. They are used for cleaning and marketed as a replacement for toilet paper.
Wet wipes are increasingly becoming a major problem across Sydney and in Sutherland Shire, causing blocked drains and sewers.
These wipes do not disintegrate in water like toilet paper. They may claim to break down and be flushable – but they aren’t!
The combination of wet wipes and fat tipped down kitchen sinks from cooking and other waste (sanitary products, cotton buds and dental floss) can lead to nasty fatbergs that can block sewers.
This can result in expensive blocked drain plumber repairs.
How Do Wet Wipes Contribute to Fatbergs
Wastewater systems across the world are clogged with massive conglomerations of congealed fat and non-biodegradable debris. This issue is largely caused by the improper disposal of single-use wet wipes, which have become increasingly popular in recent years.
Flushable wipes, intended to be disposed of in toilets, do not break down in the same way as toilet paper.
When flushed, they can become caught in the wastewater system.
In Sutherland Shire, this problem has reached alarming levels.
As emergency plumbers In the Sutherland shire, we were recently called in to clear a blockage that had backed up a home. This blockage was caused by wipes.
It was a direct result of the home owners flushing toilet and baby wipes
As a society, we need to be more mindful of what we flush down the toilet and pour down the sink.
Only pee, poop, and toilet paper should be flushed down the toilet, while other non-biodegradable items should be disposed of in the bin.
How To Effectively Dispose Of Wet Wipes
People should place used wipes in the trash or a separate bin, rather than flushing them down the toilet. Keep a bin in your toilet so that wet pipes and sanitary items can be binned instead of flushed.
Once placed in the trash, wipes should be wrapped in newspaper or placed in a sealed bag.
Additionally, when disposing of wipes, it is important to be mindful of the environment and look for biodegradable or compostable options.
Doing so will help to reduce the amount of waste and protect the planet.
Taking these steps will help keep you, your community, and the environment safe and healthy.
How Can We Prevent Fatbergs and Sewerage Chokes?
By properly disposing of waste, you can help prevent blockages and keep your community’s wastewater systems functioning.
This includes not flushing items such as wet wipes, sanitary products, baby nappies, ,cotton buds, cotton wipes, dental floss and cotton balls.
To prevent fatbergs, put these items in the rubbish bin rather than flushing them down the toilet.
Additionally, it’s important to not pour cooking grease and oil down the sink. Instead, store it in a resealable container and dispose of it in the bin.
What Are The Impacts of Fatbergs?
Fatbergs can have serious impacts on wastewater systems, including blockages and costly repairs. These blockages can prevent sewer systems from draining correctly and can cause flooding of wastewater into homes and businesses. This flooding can lead to health risks and property damage.
On a larger scale, fatbergs can also cause major disruptions to the environment, as wastewater can contaminate surface waters and groundwater, leading to further health risks.
Furthermore, the process of removing fatbergs from wastewater systems is costly and labor-intensive, which puts a strain on public funds.
And you can see a recent news report about the cost of wet wipes and the massive ‘chokes’ they cause in the sewerage system
Conclusion
To prevent blockages it’s important to dispose of wet wipes correctly and avoid flushing them down the toilet.
Proper disposal will help keep our water systems running smoothly and prevent costly cleanups.
Plus, you’ll be doing your part to protect our environment. So remember – when it comes to wet wipes, think before you flush!
If you have been flushing wipes and you have noticed that your toilets are not draining as quickly – Get the Blocked Drain Guys in to Hydro Jet your drain and clear out the build up of wipes.
You can call us on 1800 744 737
