SA “Apa-Canal Chisinau” (ACC) said the sewerage networks can become clogged for a number of reasons and such situations occur most often because the people do not respect the rules of using the sewerage system. The stones and other waste thrown into the sewerage system create impediments to ensuring the monitoring and maintaining of the networks, IPN reports.

According to the public utility, in the case of internal sewerage installations, the food waste and any kind of solid waste must not be thrown into the toilet. The same refers to building materials unused in construction or repair works and to textiles. These can stick to the internal walls of the pipes and facilitate clogging. The saving of water, especially warm water, leads to the deposition of fat on the walls of pipes and the passage is thus blocked.

In the case of external sewer pipes, these become blocked mainly because of solidified fat, detergents , pieces of wood, rags, small plastic containers and packs, bricks, stones, sand and food waste. The gardening works in the green areas between apartment buildings can lead to the covering of manhole lids with earth. The roots of trees are also a frequent cause of deterioration of sewer pipes.

In 2015, ACC performed a series of renovation works on sewer pipes with its own money. It rehabilitated about 1.23 km of pipes. The works were costly and difficult owing to the wide diameter and the depth at which the pipes are located, which in parts exceeded 8 meters. Each day, regardless of the weather conditions, eight teams of locksmiths outfitted with protection equipment and the necessary instruments carry out prophylactic works to ensure the waste water removal process is smooth.

The water supplier calls on the consumers not to throw solid or sharp objects, paint, drugs, cosmetic and personal hygiene products, household water, batteries, sand, building materials and other things into the sewerage system as these are often found during blockage removing works.