WARSAW – The city of Warsaw reported two lift stations were shut down and a pump was destroyed Monday because of improper items being flushed down toilets.

Officials suspect more people are using (and flushing) disinfectant wipes as a way to combat the coronavirus.

The damage comes after repeated pleas to the public in recent days. Utility supervisors urge people to remember the only thing that should be flushed is toilet paper.

“We normally see issues here and there, but we’ve had a higher frequency of them and more significant problems already,” said Staci Young, assistant to Mayor Joe Thallemer.

Officials are especially concerned about the safety of crews who have to respond and face exposure to untreated sewage during the pandemic, she said.

Problems like this, Young, said, “are expensive fixes and are putting our workers at unnecessary risk on the job.”

The cost to repair the pump stations will end up being $4,000 to $5,000.  The cost to rebuild a pump that has been destroyed varies, but will be a minimum of $3,000, she said.