Bowmanstown continues to warn residents about the effects of flushing “disposable” wipes.

The borough shared a photo on Facebook Tuesday morning of the sewer plant spirolift, with the message, “This clog is the aftermath of flushing those disposable wipes down your toilet. When they encounter another sewer enemy that gets carelessly dumped down kitchen sinks; fats, oils & grease the end result is not only a costly disgusting mess for the wastewater treatment plant operator, but this is then why the rate increases for sewer customers as well.”

Councilman Darren Thomas, chairperson of the borough’s sewer committee, said that it is continued disposal of wipes, sanitary napkins and tampons that is causing issues.

Last month, borough council on a 6-0 vote granted authorization to execute a resolution to finance the remainder of its sewer project.

In February agreed to borrow $100,000 to pay off the reed bed expansion at its wastewater treatment plant. Council previously said that action was due to the shortage of money to pay off the project.

Thomas said the loan would add about $1,000 to the borough’s monthly payment, upping the amount to $8,100 per month.

In November, council on a 3-2 vote adopted a resolution to raise the monthly sewer rate by $5 from $53 to $58, effective Jan. 1, 2021.

Thomas said the reason for the increase is because of added increases in the cost of living, along with the “current and (unrelenting) pursuit” keeping disposals under control “even though the public is not heeding the warnings.”

President William Ravert said at that time that during a visit he made to the borough’s sewer plant, he observed the screw on top of the tanks was full of nondisposables.

At that time, Ravert said that while he hates to see an increase of any kind, residents need to do a better job of following restrictions.

In November 2019, council approved a $1.5 million loan with First Northern Bank and Trust that involved the refinancing of a prior loan and an additional amount to cover the reed bed expansion at the wastewater treatment plant.