B.C. municipalities worry about 'fatbergs' clogging sewers as people flush disinfectant wipes during pandemic

B.C.municipalities say some of the products people have been using to disinfect their homes during the coronavirus pandemic aremaking their way into the sewer system and could lead to serious blockage problems.

Regional District of Okanagan-SimilkameenchairKarla Kozakevichsays disinfectant wipes don't break down easily like toilet paper. Instead, theyattract other solid materials and oils and can clump together to form giant masses, nicknamed "fatbergs," that clog sewer pipes and treatment plant equipment.

"Wastewater operators have to engage in the very unpleasant task of finding and extracting these blockages," Kozakevichsaid in a written statement.

• Behold the 'monster fatberg that's lurking under the street' in London

The district is one of several B.C. municipalities asking the public to dispose of their disinfectant wipes in the garbage, rather than flushing them.

Many people have recently purchased antiseptic wipes because of the heightened concern around the coronaviruspandemic and are using them to disinfect surfaces in their homes.

• U.K. scientists dissected a fatberg and found, among the gunk, some false teeth

Many consumer wipes are marketed as flushable, which can lead people to believe they are ok to flush down the toilet, Kozakevich said.

"In this challenging time when we are spending more time at home as we do our part, we must be conscious that our homes have to function," said Rina Seppen, the district's wastewater utilities foreman.

"The last thing we need is to have the sewer lines clog and essential services stretched as we work to serve the public needs."

Killing off useful microorganisms

The City of Kelowna is seeing an increase of wipes this month in its sewer systemas well.

Apart from clogging up the sewers, disinfectant wipesalso kill off useful microorganisms that are essential to the process of breaking down organic material in wastewater,said Ed Hoppe, Kelowna'swater quality and customer care supervisor.

• 'Flushable' wipes? Environment group asks Competition Bureau to probe claim

"The disinfectants have the ability to interfere with ourtreatment capability," Hoppe said.

"The only thing that we really recommended that people flush down the toilet is toilet paper itself."