WELSH Water wants its customers to help cut blockages in sewers after a new study showed nearly all are caused by non-flushable items.

Water UK published a report, showing 93 per cent of blockages are caused by different wipe types – often wrongly labelled as “flushable”.

The in-depth study revealed wipes being flushed down toilets are causing serious problems in the sewerage system.

Less than one per cent of the domestic waste in the blockages was identified as made up of products which are designed to be flushed, such as toilet paper.

Welsh Water itself has approximately 2,000 blockages reported to it every month, and invests £7 million a year to tackle blockages in the sewer network.

The company is also raising awareness on pouring oil and fat down the sink too.

Blockages are caused by people flushing everyday items like cotton buds and wet wipes down the toilet; or rinsing things like fat, oil and food scrapings down the sink.

When a sewer or drain blocks, it can cause flooding in your own home or a neighbour’s property.

Blockages can also lead to environmental pollution, damaging rivers and beaches.

Wet wipes, including those labelled as “flushable", disposable nappies and sanitary products are the main items that cause problems; but kitchen oil, fats and grease can also lead to major blockages. These items should not be disposed of down the drain.

Welsh Water has asked customers to only flush materials designed to be flushed – pee, poo and paper – in the toilet as part of its Let’s Stop the Block campaign.

Imogen Brown, the head of wastewater networks, said: “We welcome the Water UK study which shows just how much of a problem wet wipes are when they enter the sewer system.

“We know most customers are careful in how they use toilets and sinks, however we’ve found that some people just do not realise that flushing or pouring the wrong things away can have such serious consequences.”

Go to letsstoptheblock.com/.