Water Sector News
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TEXAS RESIDENTS WARNED NOT TO FLUSH GLOVES AND FACE MASKS, AFTER WORKERS UNCLOG SEWAGE PUMPS 20 TIMES IN A DAY
Water utility officials in El Paso, Texas have urged residents to stop flushing personal protective equipment (PPE) down the toilet after being forced to repeatedly remove gloves, masks and other items that have clogged the city's sewers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
El Paso Water say they have been dealing with the problem of coronavirus-related blocked pipes and damaged equipment since not long after the pandemic took hold. In March, the utility asked residents to stop contributing to clogs caused by flushing disinfectant wipes and paper towels that may have been used due to toilet paper shortages. The latest round of damage has prompted officials to warn that locals will ultimately end up paying for repairs.
"It may not be affecting you today but it could be tomorrow," El Paso Water spokesman Carlos Briano told KVIA on Thursday. "Every single thing the utility does is paid by the ratepayer... every nickel these workers are having to go out there, every machine that has to get replaced is all 100 percent paid by the ratepayer."