Firm in block-down warning

People across Kent have been warned to watch what they flush after a surge in drain blockages since the coronavirus outbreak.

Southern Water - which looks after the county’s sewage network - says the stockpiling of toilet roll has left people turning to alternatives such as wet wipes and kitchen towels.

There have even been reports of people resorting to using socks.

But the actions have seen an upsurge in inappropriate items being disposed of in toilets, with the water firm dubbing the perilous practice “flush and roulette”.

Spokesman Simon Fluendy said: “There was a big upsurge at the start of the Covid-19 crisis because people were stuck without toilet paper, and some bad habits crept in - wet wipes and kitchen towels being the problem.

“Anyone who does that is playing ‘flush and roulette’, not just with their own home, but with their neighbours’. Our key workers have to go out and put it right, and obviously it increases the risk of Covid for everybody involved.

“So apart from the potential for internal flooding, the fact that they’re then having to go into people’s homes makes it quite serious.”

Among those affected has been Naomi MacIver, who says five bin bags full of wet wipes were pulled from a drain near her home in Wincheap, Canterbury.

She called Southern Water after plugs in her home started draining slowly and loo water was rising to the rim when flushed.

“The guy said that 95% of Southern Water’s calls in recent weeks have been to clear residential drains, which is I guess understandable given people are home and using them more,” said Ms MacIver, who says she does not use wet wipes.

“Yesterday he was at a call where people were using socks because they had no toilet paper.

“This is obviously a downside to toilet roll stockpiling and it is a shame people have been left in this position but it should not be happening.

“While it’s their job and the chap was not complaining at all, they shouldn’t have to be pulling out your wipes from drains. Put them in a bin or better still, don’t use them.”

For information on how to keep drains clear visit the Southern Water website.

Pictures: Southern Water A huge blockage caused by inappropriate items being flushed was recently removed by Southern Water