Popular bathroom wipes blamed for sewer clogs

TwinkieDong

BEMUS POINT, N.Y. (AP) — Increasingly popular bathroom wipes — pre-moistened towelettes that are often advertised as flushable — are being blamed for creating clogs and backups in sewer systems around the nation.

Wastewater authorities say wipes may go down the toilet, but even many labeled flushable aren't breaking down as they course through the sewer system. That's costing some municipalities millions of dollars to dispatch crews to unclog pipes and pumps and to replace and upgrade machinery.

The problem got so bad in this western New York community this summer that sewer officials set up traps — basket strainers in sections of pipe leading to an oft-clogged pump — to figure out which households the wipes were coming from. They mailed letters and then pleaded in person for residents to stop flushing them.


For entire article: http://newsok.com/popular-bathroom-w...le/feed/594770

aquarabbit

This makes me feel even better about getting a bidet. My dad (who is a plumber) gave me a very stern talking to when he saw the wet wipes in my bathroom. So I found a bidet that hooks up under the seat of your standard toilet for $30 on amazon. Sound investment for me and the sewers looks like!

TwinkieDong

I remember those things (Bidet). My mom has one. LOL

BigDaddyRonnie

Yes, this is absolutely true. They wreaked havoc on my septic system, costing me a lot of money to have it flushed and repaired.

Per the serviceman, they may be flushable, but they don't degrade nearly as fast or efficiently as the "normal" paper products. Therefore, if not sitting in water for a long period of time, they tend to clump together, creating a huge clog.

Once the bill came for the repairs, they were never used again. If they are, they go in the garbage and not down the drain.

ldrosophila

This makes me feel even better about getting a bidet. My dad (who is a plumber) gave me a very stern talking to when he saw the wet wipes in my bathroom. So I found a bidet that hooks up under the seat of your standard toilet for $30 on amazon. Sound investment for me and the sewers looks like!

I thought about that but doesnt the cold water on your lady bits cause quite a shock?

CallMeCupcakeDammit

This makes me feel even better about getting a bidet. My dad (who is a plumber) gave me a very stern talking to when he saw the wet wipes in my bathroom. So I found a bidet that hooks up under the seat of your standard toilet for $30 on amazon. Sound investment for me and the sewers looks like!

I've been on the fence about getting one of these. I'm worried about it getting peed on by the ones who stand.

We don't use those wipes very often in my house, but if I had to throw them in the trash, my dogs would have a freakin' field day in the bathroom.

TwinkieDong

HA I hear you on the dog thing. I admit I have never tried these before. However I have used baby wipes extensively while I was in the military. In my MOS we did not have access to showers for weeks if not months at a time. So baby wipes was our salvation for both dropping the deuce and our only means of washing our bodies.

CallMeCupcakeDammit

HA I hear you on the dog thing. I admit I have never tried these before. However I have used baby wipes extensively while I was in the military. In my MOS we did not have access to showers for weeks if not months at a time. So baby wipes was our salvation for both dropping the deuce and our only means of washing our bodies.

I've never used a baby wipe for cleaning the pooper, but I keep them in my bag with my running stuff just in case I need to freshen things up. Oh, and thank you for your service! :drinker:

Melissa22G

Lovely.

TwinkieDong

HA I hear you on the dog thing. I admit I have never tried these before. However I have used baby wipes extensively while I was in the military. In my MOS we did not have access to showers for weeks if not months at a time. So baby wipes was our salvation for both dropping the deuce and our only means of washing our bodies.

I've never used a baby wipe for cleaning the pooper, but I keep them in my bag with my running stuff just in case I need to freshen things up. Oh, and thank you for your service! :drinker:

You are welcome. I wasnt fishing for thank you's though I appreciate it, I really do. Funny how things sometimes happen just when you need them and in the right dose.

CallMeCupcakeDammit

HA I hear you on the dog thing. I admit I have never tried these before. However I have used baby wipes extensively while I was in the military. In my MOS we did not have access to showers for weeks if not months at a time. So baby wipes was our salvation for both dropping the deuce and our only means of washing our bodies.

I've never used a baby wipe for cleaning the pooper, but I keep them in my bag with my running stuff just in case I need to freshen things up. Oh, and thank you for your service! :drinker:

You are welcome. I wasnt fishing for thank you's though I appreciate it, I really do. Funny how things sometimes happen just when you need them and in the right dose.