Coronavirus North Haven: Don’t Flush Wipes, Officials Say

NORTH HAVEN, CT — Officials are asking residents to avoid flushing disposable hand wipes and other inappropriate items (disposable gloves, towels, etc.) into the town’s sewer lines and sanitary sewer system as “people practice sanitation guidelines to combat” the ongoing new coronavirus crisis.

Officials said the town’s Department of Public Works is working closely with Veolia North America, which operates and maintains the town’s wastewater treatment plant, to educate people about the need to “avoid flushing inappropriate items down their toilets.”

“Over the past week, Veolia workers have noticed a significant increase in backups and blockages in the town’s sanitary sewer system and collection network, which can pose a risk to the town’s wastewater management system and require costly repairs, both for homeowners and the town,” according to a news release. “Although many so-called ‘disposable’ hand wipes are advertised as being safe for flushing, in reality they regularly cause backups in the sanitary sewer system and contribute to buildups of foreign materials. In some cases, they can attach to buildups of grease in the system and create large blockages called ‘fatbergs.’”

Town officials believe the recent buildup of sanitation wipes and gloves is connected to stepped-up efforts on the part of residents to comply with guidelines for avoiding the coronavirus. Officials said they continue to encourage the use of wipes for this purpose, but ask residents to dispose of used wipes in their trash bins, rather than flushing them.

Here are some “Dos and Don’ts” for avoiding backups in the town’s sanitary sewer lines and system:

• DO NOT flush disposable wipes, gloves, towels or other trash down the toilet, even if they’re labeled ‘flushable.’
• DO NOT pour grease down kitchen sinks or toilets. Instead, put grease in a sealed non-recyclable container and throw out with regular garbage.
• DO toss dirty baby, makeup and cleaning wipes, tampons, sanitary pads and condoms into the trash.
• DO reduce and reuse by using compostable or reusable makeup applicators, like cotton balls, and cleaning supplies, like paper towels or rags.
• DO recycle finished toilet rolls, cardboard packaging from toothpaste and brushes, and paper packaging from shampoos and shower gels.
• DO NOT use the sink as a toilet or the toilet as a garbage disposal.

If you have any questions regarding the aforementioned information, contact the Director of the Department of Public Works at (203) 239-5321, ext. 400 or mail to sadosky.lynn@town.north-haven.ct.us.

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