Should ‘wet wipes’ be banned?

Wet wipes have become enormously popular in recent years – but a new study reveals they are causing major damage to our sewage systems.

Baby wipes, cosmetic wipes, wet wipes and pre-soaked cleaning wipes are versatile and useful.

They are great for travelling, can improve hygiene and make life a little more convenient.

However, a new study by Water UK found wipes make up to 93% of material causing sewer blockages.

There are 300,000 sewage blockages in the UK every year at a cost of £100 million.

No wipes are safe to flush, yet many packaged labels claim otherwise – it confuses consumers and creates problems for our sewage infrastructure.

Many residents also don’t realise that if a blockage occurs within the boundaries of a property, it is the owner who is responsible for the cost of fixing it.

Rae Stewart, Water UK’s director of corporate affairs, said: “Our sewerage system is just not designed to handle things like baby wipes which don’t break down in water.”

Despite high-profile campaigns to educate the public, many people are still flushing wipes.

Campaigners have called on a ban for certain wet wipes altogether to help solve the problem.

What do you think? Should wet wipes be banned?