Wet wipe warning: don't flush them, urge Severn Trent
They've urging people to think about the effects that wet wipes can have on sewers
A local water firm has issued a reminder to customers of the 'serious impact' of wet wipes.
They've urging people to think about the effects that wet wipes can have on sewers and remember that one the 3P’s – pee, poo and (toilet) paper – should be flushed down the toilet.
The reminder came, one year after the previous Government announced a ban on plastic-based wet wipes.
Grant Mitchell, Blockages Lead for Severn Trent, said: “We welcomed the ban when it was announced last year and would fully support it being proposed once again.
“While many of our customers do understand the issues caused by wet wipes, there are still thousands of blockages each year that could be prevented if wet wipes weren’t flushed down the toilet.
“We would like to see the ban implemented and brought forward into legislation to help everyone to understand the harmful effects that all wet wipes can have if they are flushed down the toilet.”
Severn Trent say wet wipes are one of the main offenders when it comes to blockages and so-called 'fatbergs' in the sewer network.
They add blockages can be both unpleasant and costly to remedy.
Grant added: “We work hard to keep our sewers healthy, but with customers following our advice and working with us, it will have a huge impact on the number of blockages we see.”
Severn Trent’s latest “Sewer Stories” campaign is asking everyone to ‘be a binner, not a blocker’, by showcasing the gross consequences of flushing the wrong things down the loo.
Other offenders that can cause big issues for customers are kitchen roll, cotton buds, nappies and sanitary products.
For more information on how to protect your home from blockages and flooding, click here.
Anyone who has a problem, either with slow drains or a blocked sewer it can be reported here.