Severn Trent customers told to stop flushing ‘harmful’ wet wipes

The water company says that wet wipes are the single biggest cause of fatbergs that block sewage systems.

Severn Trent is urging customers to “Bin the Wipe” after research reveals that over a fifth (22%) of people in the UK admit to flushing wet wipes down the toilet.

The water company are taking part in a national campaign calling on people to stop flushing wet wipes to help protect the environment and prevent homes and businesses from being flooded.

Across the Midlands in the Severn Trent region, the company dealt with 30,000 blockages last year and a large amount was caused by the wrong things being put down the sink and toilet such as wet wipes.

Grant Mitchell, Severn Trent’s Blockages Lead, said: “We’re supportive of discussions around the banning of wet wipes containing plastic, as well as Water UK’s important ‘Bin The Wipe’ campaign as we know that flushing things like wipes can have a huge impact on our customers and the environment.

Listen to Grant Mitchell here

Peter Jenkins, Director of Campaigns at Water UK, said: “This research has revealed that an alarming number of people continue to flush wet wipes down their loo, even when they know the detrimental effect this can have on issues they care about, such as the environment.

“Our national Bin the Wipe campaign aims to encourage people to break the habit of flushing wet wipes down the toilet. By binning wet wipes instead, you can safeguard against blockages in pipes or even flooding in your home, while also helping to protect the environment.”