Sewer bosses will now monitor what families flush down their toilets and can track problematic wet wipes back to specific households.
It is part of Northumbrian Water’s plans to cut flooding and blockages caused by people flushing wipes, rather than throwing them away. Wipes can cause blockages as they do not break down in the same way as toilet paper, meaning raw sewage can spill back into homes.
Homes in South Shields and Jarrow will be targeted by the Bin the Wipe campaign after analysis showed high levels of wipe-related blockages there. It will see sewer workers armed with specially-created tools to find out exactly who is flushing them down the toilet.
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“We know that not everyone in this area flushes wipes, and we’d like to thank those who don’t for their responsible disposal habits,” said Simon Cyhanko, head of wastewater networks at Northumbrian Water.
“What we really want is for everyone to make that change. A flushed wipe can cause problems for anyone, whether or not it was them who put it down the loo. So, making this simple change protects your own home, as well as that of neighbours near and far.”
The plan will see sewer workers led “directly to the doors of those responsible”, Northumbrian Water said, where they will try to help people understand why flushing wipes is a problem. Residents in the NE34 9 area will be affected by the scheme.
“The response we have had from customers in areas where we have taken Bin the Wipe already has been amazing,” said Simon.
“In some areas, we have found huge reductions in the number of wipes in the sewer, which can lead to the chances of sewer flooding occurring falling dramatically.
“On our last visit to South Shields, the team worked in the NE34 7 area. When we returned, we found there were 80% fewer wipes in the sewer. That’s amazing and we really hope that customers in the NE34 9 area will be just as brilliant when it comes to making a really simple change.”
If those responsible continue to plug the sewers by flushing the wipes after receiving letters from Northumbrian Water, the water company can charge the offender for the cost of clearing the pipes.
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