https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-christchurch/wet-wipes-protect-against-covid-19-could-block-wastewater-pipes

With the use of anti-bacterial wet wipes on the rise to protect against coronavirus, Christchurch residents are warned not to flush them down the toilet to avoid wastewater blockages.

The Christchurch City Council says there has been an increase in blockages in some NZ cities due to people using more cleaning wipes as a precaution against the Covid-19 and then flushing them instead of binning them.

Said council head of three waters and waste Helen Beaumont: "The only things people should be flushing are the three Ps – pee, poo, and paper."

"Even so-called flushable wipes don’t break down properly in the wastewater system.

"They bunch together and can cause blockages, breakdowns and overflows further down the line, with the potential for sewage to then leak into our streams and rivers.

“If you do use wet wipes, please put them in the rubbish rather than down the loo.”