DEWAYNE HOLLOWAY/dewayne@mcnews.online
MOUNT IDA – Mount Ida Mayor Jo Childress is asking residents to help the city avoid problems within the local sewer system by not placing wipes in toilets.
As people deal with COVID-19 a host of new problems present themselves. One of those problems remains hidden until sewer lines back up, or machines within the infrastructure clog due to wipes introduced into the system.
There are a lot of reasons why wipes have become a problem as people learn to live with the threat of COVID-19.
The primary reason is because of marketing. Many brands of wipes are marketed as flushable. The mayor explained that while they may be flushable, they contribute to clogs in lines. While toilet paper breaks up easily in water, the wipes are more sturdy and don’t break up as quickly. This allows them to gather in lines and cause clogs. They can also get tangled in machinery used in the sewer system.
Another reason is an increase in use. Toilet paper became a rare commodity in the early days of the COVID-19 crisis. As a result many people turned to wipes as a substitute for toilet paper. Use of disinfectant wipes has also increased as people try to keep the virus from their homes and offices.
When wipes make their way into the sewer system they often settle in areas that are hard to reach with sewer tapes. As a result the city water department has to contract an outside company, often from Hot Springs, to use a jetter to clear the lines. Mayor Childress stated that this comes at a cost of approximately $600 per trip.
Mayor Childress asks that everyone be diligent in the proper disposal of wipes to help prevent clogs in the sewer system. The city appreciates you help in this matter.