Clogged HoCo Sewers Caused By Coronavirus Toilet Paper Shortage

HOWARD COUNTY, MD —Officials with Howard County's Public Works Department are asking residents to stop flushing items that don't belong in the toilet, even if the packaging claims it is flushable. During the new coronavirus outbreak, toilet paper has been in short supply, so people have turned to other items such as paper towels and wipes. Other surprising items are being flushed, too.

Alexandra Bresani with Howard County Government told Patch that the issue was brought to residents' attention with two Facebook posts. But the problem still persists.

"The county's department of public works' bureau of utilities is reminding residents to not dispose of used latex/plastic gloves in toilets or drains. The gloves will form blockages in the sewer system and lead to sewerage overflows. Other popular items that should not be disposed of down your toilet or drain are baby wipes, cleaning or sanitary 'flushable' (nope, not flushable) wipes, diapers and grease," the Facebook post said.

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On a second post, the county added paper towels, facial tissue and scraps of clothing to its list of items that shouldn't be flushed.

The items that should never be flushed include:

• Baby wipes, disinfectant wipes, moist wipes (whether it says "flushable" or not)
• Diapers
• Rags
• Facial tissue
• Paper towels
• Toilet bowl Scrub pads
• Cleaning cloths of any kind
• Sanitary napkins, tampons, condoms
• Fats, oils, and grease
• Hair
• Dental floss

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