Sanepar warns toilet paper disposal causes sewage blockages in Brazil

Sanepar operational agents in Curitiba have warned that flushing toilet paper and other non-biodegradable items down toilets is causing significant sewage network blockages. During maintenance work in the Mossunguê neighborhood, workers discovered accumulations of toilet paper, wet wipes, condoms, and sanitary pads.

While flushing paper is common practice in countries like the United States and England, a 2023 technical note from the Brazilian Association of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (ABES) suggests that toilet paper sold in Brazil may not disintegrate sufficiently during flushing. This failure to dissolve causes the material to form a paste that obstructs pipes, potentially leading to sewage overflows. Experts advise disposing of these materials in trash bins instead of the toilet to prevent infrastructure damage.