So-called flushable wipes are failing the U.K. water industry’s disintegration tests, according to recent reports.

Water companies are reporting that wet wipes used for everything from make-up removal to surface cleaning are not breaking down as advertised and are instead creating costly sewer blockages, often dubbed "fatbergs.”

According to officials, flushable wipes did not pass tests conducted at WRC, which is a water-testing lab in Swindon.

Wipes labeled flushable failed a series of tests to determine their ability to disintegrate once they were flushed into the sewers. Wipes were placed in conical flasks of water and were rotated on a shaking platform to simulate water turbulence in a sewer. Not one of the flushable wipes tested dissolved under those conditions, according to the scientists.

Experts speculated that to earn the flushable designation, manufacturers dissolved the wipes under aggressive testing conditions not reflective of sewer conditions, but rather if the wipes were placed in a washing machine.

Tony Griffiths, from United Utilities, said, "It's extremely frustrating. The amount of money that gets spent on dealing with blockages and disposing of this material could be reinvested in our ageing infrastructure.

"If we're not spending all this money, we could actually work to reduce customer bills."

Growing frustration with the perceived inaction has left many in the water industry impatient for a solution.

Matt Wheeldon, a director at Wessex Water called the material an absolute scourge on society.

"Whoever came up with the bad idea didn't think about the impact they're going to have on the environment."

He added that it is "technically illegal to put anything down the toilet that's going to block up the sewer."

Adding to the problem is that wipes which escape water treatment filters tend to impact the environment, flowing into rivers and onto beaches. What’s worse, according to experts, is that the wipes often contain microscopic plastic microfibers that harm fish and other marine life if ingested, which can also enter the human food chain.

The issue isn’t exclusive to the U.K. as reports have emerged in recent weeks that cities such as Sacramento, California, are struggling to battle their own flushable wipe fatbergs that seem to be accumulating just as quickly as they are removed.

U.K. government officials stated they are working on a solution with wipe manufacturers and water companies to create a wipe that can be safely flushed down the toilet and doesn’t contain plastic.