The 'Fine to Flush' standard will allow wet wipe manufacturers which pass new tests to put official safety logos on their packaging
The fight against fatbergs in UK sewers has received a major boost with the launch of a new official industry standard today aimed at helping consumers identify which wet wipes can be safely flushed down the toilet.
It means manufacturers of wet wipe which pass scientific tests set under the new 'Fine to Flush' standard will be allowed to feature an official water industry logo on their packaging, demonstrating that their product can be flushed down the toilet without fear of causing a blockage or contributing to 'fatbergs' in UK sewers.
Wet wipes are generally not designed for flushing down the toilet, as unlike standard toilet roll they do not break down quickly and can therefore block pipes, leading to significant disruption and costs for households and water companies.
The move follows a BBC investigation last year, which found no wet wipes sold as "flushable" in the UK had so far managed to pass the water industry's disintegration tests.
Sewer blockages are estimated to cost the UK up to £100m each year, as well as contributing to sewer flooding, which can have a negative impact on the environment.
Meanwhile, fatbergs - a solid mass mainly caused by the build-up of wet wipes, fats, oils and grease in sewer systems - have become increasingly common in recent years, according to trade body Water UK. It said a 2017 investigation found wet wipes were responsible for around 93 per cent of material causing some sewer blockages.
Water UK chief executive Michael Roberts said the new standard was "an important step in the battle against blockages", arguing it would help encourage the availability of more environmentally friendly wet wipe products for consumers.
"We've all seen the impact of fatbergs recently, and we want to see fewer of them," he said. "Improving the environment is at the core of what the water industry does, and the new ‘Fine to Flush' standard that we've created will make it easier for consumers to buy an environmentally-friendly product instead of one which clogs up drains and sewers."
The new specifications for wet wipe 'flushability' were developed by Water UK in conjunction with Swindon-based technical experts WRc, which will carry out the testing of wet wipes aiming to meet the standard.
