Beaufort Co. sewers start seeing ‘issues’ as people flush items other than toilet paper

Sewer back-ups into houses or neighborhoods could happen if Beaufort County residents don’t stop flushing items such as wipes and paper towels down toilets.

The problem is growing as toilet paper becomes harder to find in some parts of the country, officials say.

Locally, field operators are seeing wipes and paper towels clog the sewer system more often than usual, Pamela Flasch, Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority spokesperson, said Tuesday.

“We absolutely sympathize with people who are unable to get toilet paper,” Flasch said.

People should throw any item that’s not toilet paper into the trash can, Flasch said. That includes wipes labeled ‘flushable.’

“That might mean you are taking the trash out more often,” Flasch said. “That inconvenience is nothing if this backs up into your home or neighborhood.”

The sewer authority has been using multiple methods to get the word out to customers, including billboards, social media and doorhangers in areas that field operators are seeing more issues.

“We are using old-fashion messages as well as the latest and greatest technology,” Flasch said.

Doorhangers were placed on doors last week, and 500 more are being printed this week.

“People are going to be desperate and frustrated and tired of having a stinky can in their bathroom, but sadly, this is the hand we have been dealt,” Flash said.

Hilton Head Public Service District General Manager Pete Nardi said wipes and paper towels are an ongoing problem for waste management systems, regardless of coronavirus.

“They will go down your toilet but don’t break down like toilet paper does,” Nardi said. “They get into our lift stations. They get into our pumps. They cause all kinds of problems.”

The wipes could damage equipment that the entire population “is reliant on,” Nardi said.

He said his service area hasn’t seen any more wipes or paper towels than usual, but there is a worry things could get worse.

“The whole industry is worried about people all of a sudden using more and more of these kind of wipes,” Nardi said.

Nardi said the water and sewer system continue to operate as normal during the pandemic.

This story was originally published April 8, 2020 at 3:28 PM.