Water Sector News
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Sewage lines are getting blocked as people flush napkins and T-shirts
Well, that plan went down the drain.
Amid the widespread shortage of toilet paper that’s stemmed from the coronavirus pandemic, people throughout the United States are turning to paper towels, baby wipes and even T-shirts that have caused sewage blockages when flushed, NBC News reported.
This week, the Environmental Protection Agency was compelled to remind people of the dangers that flushing such products can cause.
“Toilets are not trash cans,” the EPA said in a tweet Monday. “Please remember napkins, paper towels, and so called ‘flushable’ wipes can all clog your pipes.”
Toilet paper has been difficult to find in some stores of late due to people stocking up in bulk as they quarantine themselves at home to curb the spread of coronavirus.
As a result, leading plumbing company Roto-Rooter also felt the need to educate people on how to handle running out of toilet paper amid the pandemic.