Water Sector News
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DMV residents are flushing more wipes down the toilet amid COVID-19 pandemic
Apr 6, 2020
https://wjla.com/news/local/flushable-wipes-clog-pipes
During the COVID-19 pandemic, WSSC water is seeing a spike in people that flush wipes. During the first three months of the year, 37,000 more pounds of wipes were flushed compared to the same period last year. 37,000 pounds is the weight of a greyhound bus. At the Anacostia wastewater pumping station alone, 285,000 pounds of wipes have been hauled off during that same time. WSSC Water cannot say it enough, keep wipes out of the pipes.
'Flushable' wipes aren't so pipe friendly and can cost homeowners up to $40,000 in damages.
As disinfectant wet wipes and toilet paper are being sold at a record pace, some areas are suffering shortages. Companies like Costco are limiting how many you can buy at a time.
WSSC Water is very concerned that more of these wipes will now end up being flushed down the toilet and that is a big no-no.