Severe pipe blockage in Puerto del Rosario after flushing wipes
Operators from the water company Canaragua were forced to intervene this week on Calle Tajo after a serious blockage was detected in the municipal sewage network. The obstruction was caused by a massive accumulation of wet wipes that residents had incorrectly flushed down the toilet. To access the affected pipe and restore normal service, workers had to dig a trench approximately six metres long.
These types of waste do not disintegrate like toilet paper and create blockages that lead to system failures, foul odors, damage to the treatment plant, and environmental contamination.
Institutional Coordination to Resolve the Fault
The repair work was carried out by Canaragua in coordination with the Municipal Services Department.
“Incidents like this could be avoided with small gestures. Flushing wipes not only causes clogs such as the one on Calle Tajo, but also puts the entire municipal sewage system at risk, which we are working hard to modernise. I call on everyone’s conscience: wipes belong in the bin, not the toilet.”
— David de Vera, Mayor of Puerto del Rosario
“These blockages are not minor inconveniences. When wipes and other waste accumulate in the network, they affect pumping stations and the treatment plant, generating repair costs that we all bear and, more seriously, causing environmental damage. The municipal department reminds citizens that the toilet is not a wastebasket.”
— David de León, Councilor for Municipal Services
Recommendations for Residents
The city council reiterates the importance of not flushing wipes, hygiene products, or any other waste down the toilet. All such items should be disposed of in a waste bin. Authorities urge citizens to act responsibly to prevent future incidents and reduce the environmental impact on sewage systems and the natural surroundings.
The new sanitation contract awarded to Canaragua, which provides a 24‑hour, year‑round emergency service, enabled a swift and effective response to this blockage.