Officials at the Palm Beach County (Florida) Water Utilities Department reported in a Facebook post that for the first time, all four pumps at its Boca Raton facility clogged with wipes.
It apparently took a team of three mechanics to disassemble and reassemble the pumps to remove the wipes.
“This facility processes 4 million gallons a day from local homes and businesses in southern Palm Beach County before treatment,” the utility wrote. “If you’re staying at home and low on toilet paper remember, no wipes in the pipes!”
Flint City Council Postpones Water Infrastructure Projects
Three critical water infrastructure projects in Flint, Michigan — funded by a $120 million federal and state forgivable loan — have been put on hold.
The city council postponed a $14.7 million pipeline for its emergency backup water supply and a $2.1 million rehabilitation of a 200-million gallon reservoir at its water treatment plant, partially due to understaffed contractors who couldn’t submit bids. The council also postponed a project to construct a new chemical feed systems building.
Wipes Clog Sewers, Cause Wastewater Discharge in Iowa
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is cautioning residents to stay away from the north branch of Long Creek in Ainsworth after disposable wipes a clogged sewer line and caused a discharge.
As a result of the wipes clog, an estimated 1,000 gallons per hour of untreated wastewater spilled into the creek for about 15 hours.
The DNR is now reminding residents to flush only human waste and toilet paper, as disposable wipes, baby wipes, paper towels and tissues routinely clog up sewer systems.
