Wet Wipes Are Destroying Britain's Drains — Here's Why

Wet wipes have become a bathroom staple in millions of UK homes. But what many people don't realise is that flushing them — even products labelled "flushable" — is causing a hidden crisis in Britain's drainage system, costing water companies and homeowners tens of millions of pounds every year.

The "flushable" myth

Unlike toilet paper, which is designed to disintegrate in water within minutes, wet wipes are made from woven synthetic fibres (typically polyester or polypropylene) that hold together even when wet. That's what makes them useful for cleaning — and exactly what makes them terrible for drains.

Tests by Water UK found that most products labelled "flushable" failed to break down within the sewer system. They pass through your toilet and into your pipes intact, where they snag on joints, roots, and rough surfaces. Once caught, they accumulate and combine with fats and grease to form blockages.

Fatbergs: the monster in the sewers

When wipes combine with fat, oil, and grease in the sewer, they create what the industry calls "fatbergs" — solid masses of congealed waste that can grow to enormous sizes. Notable UK fatbergs include:

• Whitechapel, London (2017): 130 tonnes, 250 metres long. Took nine weeks to remove.
• Sidmouth, Devon (2019): 64 metres long, described as "as hard as concrete."
• Liverpool (2021): A fatberg the size of a double-decker bus blocked a city centre sewer.

These fatbergs don't just block sewers — they cause raw sewage to overflow into streets, gardens, and waterways. In 2024, the Environment Agency reported thousands of sewage overflow events linked to blockages, contributing to the UK's river pollution crisis.

The cost to homeowners

While large fatbergs are a water company problem, the blockages they create often start in your own property's drains — where the cost falls on you. If a wet-wipe blockage occurs in the pipework between your home and the public sewer (the homeowner's responsibility under most deeds), you'll pay for the drain clearance.

A standard drain clearance costs £100–£250. If wipes have caused damage to pipe joints, the bill can run into the thousands.

New legislation on the way

In 2024, the UK Government announced plans to ban plastic from wet wipes entirely. The ban on plastic wet wipes is expected to come into force in 2026, requiring manufacturers to switch to biodegradable materials. Environmental groups have welcomed the move but warn that even biodegradable wipes should not be flushed, as they still take far longer to break down than toilet paper.

The simple rule

The only things that should go down your toilet are the "three Ps": pee, poo, and (toilet) paper. Everything else — including wet wipes, cotton buds, sanitary products, and dental floss — goes in the bin. It's the single most effective thing you can do to prevent a blocked drain.