WILLEMSTAD – The government has been forced to pump out several sewer systems in recent days due to blockages caused by large amounts of toilet wipes being flushed down toilets.
Minister of Traffic, Transport and Spatial Planning Charles Cooper (MFK) issued a public appeal urging residents to dispose of wipes properly in trash bins instead of flushing them.
In a video shared on Facebook Tuesday morning, the minister showed a large pile of wipes that had been removed from the sewer system by maintenance crews. “Please do not throw wipes in the toilets, they do not dissolve,” Cooper emphasized.
According to the minister, the improper disposal of wipes is causing significant strain on the island’s sewage infrastructure, leading to clogged pipes and costly maintenance operations.
Cooper also noted that for those who prefer using wipes, supermarkets offer dissolvable or biodegradable alternatives that are designed to break down after flushing.
Authorities are calling on the public to be more mindful of what is disposed of through the sewage system, warning that continued misuse could lead to further disruptions and damage to infrastructure.