HUTCHINSON, Kan. — With the COVID-19 virus causing shortages in various items, including toilet paper, Hutchinson Public Works is strongly urging people to not dispose of anything other than toilet paper into the sanitary sewer system.
Such things like paper towels, tissue and even flushable wipes in large quantities can harm your sewer system. Richard Buller with Public Works says any type of root intrusion in your system will catch these materials and could quickly back up your sewer. If the problem is farther down the line, it could cause problems for a number of homes around you.
Buller says lift station motors and pumps within the city sewer system can also be damaged by the non-degradable material. Buller says the lift stations and areas of the city’s sewer system are starting to show the collection of this material.
Buller again stressed to residents to only flush toilet paper down their systems.