People Using T-Shirts in Place of Toilet Paper May Have Clogged Calif. Sewer System, City Says

One California city is warning its residents to stick to toilet paper after a shredded T-shirt flushed down the toilet caused a sewer backup.

The city of Redding said in a news release that its Wastewater Management responded on Wednesday to a sewer backup at one of its lift stations after someone apparently used shredded T-shirts in place of toilet paper.

“Wastewater management was able to avert a spill but is concerned about the larger environmental and health ramifications presented by this backup,” the release said.

The city doubled down on the importance of flushing only toilet paper, despite the fact that it’s been in high demand and sold out of many grocery stores as people self-isolate and socially distance themselves amid the coronavirus outbreak.

“It is crucial — at all times, but especially during the evolving circumstances surrounding COVID-19 — for the public to refrain from putting anything aside from toilet paper down the toilet. If you should need to use anything aside from toilet paper, remember this important message: ‘Bag it. Don’t flush it,’” the release said.

Read more: https://people.com/human-interest/people-using-t-shirts-toilet-paper-clogged-sewer-system/