Yorkshire Water tackled more than 25,000 sewer blockages in its region during 2020 - - the water company provides water and sanitation to services to over 5 million customers every day.

Problems in the sewer network are most often caused by foreign objects – such as wet wipes, sanitary products, cotton buds – being flushed down toilets and fats, oils and greases being poured down drains. These can become snagged and develop into large blockages that prevent sewage flowing through the network to wastewater treatment works.

Mark Hammond, head of customer field services at Yorkshire Water, said:

“Our teams were called to more than 25,000 blockages across our region in 2020. Clearing blockages caused by foreign objects, fats and wet wipes costs millions of pounds– money which could be spent on improving our network and innovative new technologies.

“We would urge our customers to think twice before flushing them, as one wipe may not seem significant, but when combined they create blockages that prevent our network operating correctly. In some instances, these blockages can lead to sewage flooding in homes and the local environment.”

The water company also experienced an increase in DIY materials blocking its sewers, particularly during the first lockdown period.