CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- In a new new world with the haves and have-nots when it comes to toilet paper, public works departments are reminding people that some things should not be flushed down the toilet.
While this comes from Crystal Lake, this applies to everyone.
Crystal Lake Public Works Director Mike Magnuson said with a lot of people stuck at home and a shortage of toilet paper, thanks to hoarding, people are flushing things down toilets that should not be flushed.
"Wipes, paper towels, baby wipes, napkins, tissue and other non-toilet paper products do not break down like toilet paper, and can clog our sanitary sewer systems that could lead to sewer backups," he said.
He said wipes have already caused problems.
"Wipes do not break down. Toilet paper dissolves in water. You may be able to physically get your wipe down the toilet, but that doesn't mean it is not going to get hung up somewhere down the line and cause a backup," he said.
This includes products that are labeled as "disposable," Magnuson said.“They are not flushable, and they are not biodegradable. They wreak havoc in our system. Please don’t flush those down the toilet," he said.Twice this week Crystal Lake has seen problems with wipes.
"We have had two instances this week where we have noticed an accumulation of wipes down in the sewers that were starting the block the flow," he said.
He said it can be time consuming to get the flow going again and backups can create situations where your home or your neighbors' homes or both get backed up with sewage.
"That could lead to sewer backing up in someone's basement, so aside from our time to clean and rod the sewers, you can be damaging your neighbor's basement with sewage," he said.
It is not a terribly pleasant thing, disposing toilet paper-alternatives in the garbage, but it is better than a sewage backup.
"With the shortage of toilet paper, there is the temptation to flush these alternative products down the toilet. It is to everyone’s benefit to use toilet paper only. If you are out of toilet paper and must use wipes or other paper products, please bag these products after use and dispose of in your regular garbage," Magnuson said.