Disinfecting wipes could also be inflicting an uptick in clogged plumbing in San Jose

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) – As people reach for disinfectant wipes to protect themselves from the coronavirus, we are reminded that they should be thrown away in the trash and not flushed down the toilet.

These wipes and other toilet paper substitutes could lead to an increase in clogged water pipes in San Jose.

The still-elusive disinfectant wipes that kill cold and flu viruses are currently widely used to wipe down doorknobs, countertops, TV remotes and other frequently touched surfaces.

They shouldn't be flushed down the toilet, but it happens anyway, says Colin Heyne of the city of San Jose.

“We are seeing an increase in service requests, particularly related to cleaning people, i.e. accessing underground sewers in their homes. Fortunately, we are not seeing an increase in sewer outflows,” said Heyne.

Although disinfectant wipes are great for killing most bacteria and viruses, they don't break down as easily as toilet paper.

In large quantities, they can clog pipes, clog sewers and cause major problems for wastewater treatment plants, says Jennie Loft of Environmental Health.

“It's not flushable, it won't go through the system, it won't dissolve properly like toilet paper, it'll get stuck in your pipes.” We have equipment that will wipe the wipes and any solids that go through the system. sort out. That’s why we would like to ask residents not to throw these materials down the toilet in the first place,” Loft said.

In what may be related to the toilet paper shortage in recent weeks, there has also been an increase in clogged pipes and blockages when cleaning with materials even more problematic than wipes.

“We're also seeing more non-flushable items like fabric, t-shirts and cotton fabrics, etc. So when people run out of toilet paper, we want to make sure they use something else,” Heyne said.

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