The Director of Civil Defence Emergency Management Sarah Stuart-Black has made a nationwide plea for Kiwis using wet wipes to not flush them down the toilet.

As people, rightly, became more aware of hygiene, the use of wet wipes had increased significantly – to the extent they were now causing a major problem for council wastewater treatment plants and sewerage systems around the country.

“Disposing of wet wipes down the toilet leads to extra blockages in the sewer network and this includes flushable wet wipes.”

Use wet wipes – even those labelled “flushable” – should be disposed of in the rubbish, not flushed down the toilet.

She also took the opportunity to remind people to stay away from parks, playgrounds and schools.

“There are too many objects or surfaces potentially with the virus on them. And, likewise, stay off any furniture or equipment in public places,” she said.

It was also advised to stop the “the Kiwi tradition of passing something across the fence to your neighbour”.