Water Sector News
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West Palm Beach sewers clogged by influx of flushable wipes, paper towels, grease
he city of West Palm Beach is dealing with a messy and stinky sewage problem.
The city invited Contact 5 to watch as crews cleaned out a sewer blockage Friday morning along Gregory Road in the south end of the city.
Leighton Walker, the assistant director of Public Utilities for the City of West Palm Beach, says the culprits include flushable wipes, which are not biodegradable, paper towels, grease and other materials.
“We’re seeing more issues with grease in our system, so want to remind them to put that grease in the trash can, not down the sinks,” Walker said. “Our sewer systems are not trash cans; toilets are not trash cans. They’re just designed for tissue and bodily waste.”
Pictures shared with Contact 5 by the city show the extent of the problem including backups and blockages, which they say could lead to public health and environmental hazards.