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Yorkshire Water issues reminder ahead of plastic wet wipe ban

Friday, 16 October 2026 12:48

Yorkshire Water's wastewater team clears over 25,000 blockages annually.

Yorkshire Water has issued a reminder about the problems caused by flushing wet wipes ahead of a ban next year.

The sale and supply of single-use wet wipes containing plastic will be banned in England from 19th May 2027, with limited exemptions.

The company says its wastewater teams have cleared an average of more than 25,000 sewer blockages annually over the past five years, with 44% caused by wet wipes and excessive toilet roll use.

Many wipes contain plastic, meaning they do not break down in the same way as toilet paper. Instead, they can become snagged and stick together, blocking the flow of sewage.

Yorkshire Water said:

“We know many of you are already aware of the issues caused by flushing wet wipes.

"Unfortunately, we still see thousands of blockages each year that could have been prevented.”

Ahead of the ban, the company is installing 90,000 sewer network devices before 2030 to help teams identify and clear blockages before they cause problems.

It is also continuing a programme of enhanced sewer maintenance in areas prone to blockages.

Yorkshire Water said:

“Although the ban will come into force in May 2027, we're committed to doing even more to tackle blockages.”

The ban will cover products including baby wipes, makeup removal wipes and household cleaning wipes that contain plastic. Plastic-free and reusable wipes will not be included.

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