Charlotte Water Warns Against ‘Flushable’ Wipes After Sewage Spill

Raw sewage gushed into Briar Creek when a pipe split open near Kilborne Park. The spill, which happened on Aug. 26 at 3708 Medallion Drive, sent 1,850 gallons of waste into the water.

After cleanup efforts wrapped up, officials stressed a key point: flush only toilet paper. Nothing else should go down toilets, not even products with "flushable" on the label.

"Even 'flushable' products can clog pipes," a Charlotte Water spokesperson told Queen City News.

The city's massive sewer network processes over 91 million gallons daily. Through 4,500 miles of underground pipes, this system needs strict care to work properly. One wrong item down a drain can trigger big problems.

Want to keep pipes clear? Charlotte Water says it's simple: put wipes, paper towels, and hygiene items in the trash. Food scraps and oils need to stay out of drains, too.

Got cooking grease? Take it to a recycling center. When oils cool in pipes, they solidify and build up, creating a recipe for nasty backups.

The Briar Creek incident puts a spotlight on water safety. This waterway snakes through Charlotte's heart, connecting to vital streams across the area. Clean water matters for everyone living nearby.

Spot a possible spill? A round-the-clock team stands ready. Just dial 311 or 704-336-7600 to alert Charlotte Water's emergency crew.