Wet wipes: New standard to tackle blocked sewers

A new standard for flushable wet wipes has been announced, amid concerns they have been helping to block sewers.

Water UK, the industry body, says wipes will need to pass strict tests to receive the approved logo, Fine to Flush.

It said wet wipes labelled flushable do not break down and are behind 93% of blockages in UK sewers.

They contribute to fatbergs – solid masses of fat, wet wipes and grease, which can be hundreds of feet long.

There are an estimated 300,000 sewer blockages each year, costing the country £100 million, Water UK said.

“This is an important step in the battle against blockages. We’ve all seen the impact of fatbergs recently, and we want to see fewer of them,” said Michael Roberts, chief executive, of Water UK.

A 210ft (64m) fatberg found near Sidmouth this week is the biggest South West Water (SWW) has found and expected to take about eight weeks to remove.

Others have been found, including an 820ft (250m) fatberg weighing 130 tonnes which blocked a Victorian-era sewer in east London in 2017 and took nine weeks to remove.

The Fine to Flush tests, set out in a 30 page document, scrutinise whether the wipes are able to clear the u-bend, avoid snagging and avoid chemical residues.

The tests are being carried out by Swindon-based WRc.

Andy Drinkwater, who is in charge of the tests, said one product, from Natracare, will meet the standard.

However, Natracare wipes will not initially display the logo as the packaging was ready before the Fine to Flush image was finalised.

There are seven or so other products being tested by WRc at the moment, Mr Drinkwater said.

Testing each product can cost up to £8,0000, he added.

Laura Foster, head of clean seas at the Marine Conservation Society, said: “We know that there is huge confusion for consumers on which products can be flushed, resulting in millions being spent on blockages every year.”