Wipes rise in SA sewers
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SA Water has reported a record number of wet wipe-induced sewer blockages across Adelaide.
The authority has revealed that more than 1,600 blockages have been recorded this year, already surpassing the previous record of 1,344 set in 2022.
Dr Daniel Hoefel, Senior Manager of Infrastructure Planning and Strategy at SA Water, says the situation has deteriorated despite recent improvements in community behaviour.
“The numbers don’t lie,” he said.
“Fast forward to today, that figure currently sits at 1,667 - our highest of any year - and continues to climb.”
A large spike in blockages occurred between April and July, with June as the worst month with 298 incidents.
Over half of these blockages originated from wet wipes, many of which were incorrectly marketed as ‘flushable’ despite not meeting the new Australian and New Zealand Flushable Products Standard.
Dr Hoefel says that two-thirds of these blockages occurred at property connections, increasing the risk of overflows inside homes.
“People are rolling the dice every time they flush,” he warned
Dr Hoefel encouraged consumers to observe the new flushable product standard.
“It’s time for the four Ps – (toilet) paper, pee, poo, and products with ‘proof’ showing they’ve passed the standard and can safely break down in our sewers,” he said.
This standard was developed through collaboration between manufacturers and the water industry, aiming to promote truly flushable wet wipes.
