LAST WEEK: WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO KEEP RESIDENTS FROM CLOGGING PIPES?

Despite efforts by the Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources to educate the public, the county has experienced no less than seven sewage spills since January. In each case, the county cleans up the spill, posts signs to alert residents and notifies the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. DWR offers education about how and why to avoid grease, fats, oils and other “fog in the line” at www.unclogthefog.com. The Gwinnett sewerage system is designed to dispose of very specific things: water, toilet paper and human waste. Many things people think of as flushable, like facial or baby wipes and sanitary napkins, do not break down like toilet paper. At another county website, www.tinyurl.com/ycm8joaw, citizens can learn more. Here are reader’s suggestions for solving the problem:

I think the county needs to take a comprehensive look at what additional steps can be taken under the premise that these waste products will continue to flow within our sewers as people are unlikely ... to adjust their behavior. If there are trouble spots, they should be checked more regularly or their design fixed to be more able to handle the waste that everyone seems to be generating. — Richard Williams Why do manufacturers advertise “flushable” wipes? Can’t we do something about false advertising? — Pam Hopper It is very possible that the people that are doing this don’t watch the news, read a newspaper or belong to any online Nextdoor groups. Gwinnett needs to come up with way to get this information out to everyone. — Mary Jones Take the responsibility of this out of the government. Let private industry run this. — Danny Halel Companies make toilet paper much thicker today to appeal to comfort. Where this does meet the expectations of the consumer, it also takes longer for it to break down. I stopped using the ultra-thick paper after having to call a plumber to unclog the drain line a couple of times. — Richard Fallin

Every time there is a spill the cause is wipes and grease forming a large solid mass. Wipes do not decompose and should never be flushed. Grease and oil need to go in the trash. Some recycling banks accept used cooking oil. — Karla Kelley