Benidorm and Hidraqua Launch Campaign to Prevent Wet Wipes from Being Flushed

Benidorm City Council and the water cycle concessionaire, Hidraqua, have launched the environmental awareness campaign 'Make Wet Wipes Stop Being News', aiming to educate the public about the serious issues caused by flushing wet wipes down the toilet. The initiative, presented by the Water Cycle Councillor, José Ramón González de Zárate, and Hidraqua's Territorial Manager, Ciriaco Clemente, is now active in the city.

According to revealed data, in 2024, nearly 300 tonnes of wipes were removed from Benidorm's pumping stations and treatment plants, representing 90% of the solids intercepted in wastewater. This waste not only causes blockages and breakdowns in the sewer network but also has a significant environmental and economic impact. The management cost exceeds 75 euros per tonne, with additional expenses for repairs and cleaning reaching 400,000 euros annually.

Moreover, wipes that reach the sea due to heavy rains or pipe breaks cause irreparable damage to the marine ecosystem. "The best measure is public awareness," highlighted Clemente, recalling the severe breakdown months ago at the Severo Ochoa pumping station, where thousands of wipes clogged the system.

The campaign will be disseminated through media outlets, electronic screens in the city, and other municipal supports, aiming to reach both residents and visitors. The main message is clear: a small gesture at home, such as not flushing wipes down the toilet, can prevent major environmental and economic problems for the entire community.

Flushing wet wipes down the toilet is a problem that goes beyond pipe blockages. These wipes, which do not disintegrate like toilet paper, end up accumulating in sewer networks, causing obstructions that require costly and frequent interventions.

In 2024, Benidorm extracted nearly 300 tonnes of wipes from its pumping and treatment systems, a waste that represents 90% of the solids intercepted in wastewater. The economic impact is considerable. Managing these wipes, from extraction to final treatment, costs more than 75 euros per tonne. However, this cost multiplies when adding expenses from pipe repairs, unclogging, additional cleaning, and the damage caused by spills to the environment. In total, the annual cost for the city amounts to 400,000 euros.

But the problem doesn't end there. During heavy rain episodes, wipes can surpass the protective barriers of treatment plants and reach the sea, where their removal is practically impossible. This not only affects marine flora and fauna but also damages the image of Benidorm's beaches, one of the city's main tourist attractions.

The 'Make Wet Wipes Stop Being News' campaign focuses on prevention and public education. "We want people to understand that a simple gesture like throwing wipes in the bin instead of the toilet can make a difference," explained González de Zárate.

The initiative includes clear and graphic messages that will be disseminated through media, social networks, electronic screens in the city, and other municipal supports. Additionally, emphasis will be placed on the importance of collaborating to prevent wipes from appearing in news headlines after each heavy rain episode.

Hidraqua, for its part, carries out environmental awareness actions throughout the year. "Treatment plants work correctly under normal conditions, but heavy rains can overwhelm the system," explained Clemente. "Therefore, the best solution is to prevent wipes from reaching the sewer in the first place."

The issue of wet wipes is not exclusive to Benidorm. Cities worldwide face similar challenges due to the misuse of toilets. However, initiatives like this demonstrate that public awareness can be a powerful tool to reduce environmental and economic impact.

With this campaign, Benidorm and Hidraqua not only aim to protect the environment and save costs but also to encourage a change in habits among the population. "It's a problem that affects us all, and the solution is in our hands," concluded González de Zárate.

The campaign will be active for the coming weeks, aiming to reach as many people as possible and ultimately ensure that wipes stop being news.