Northern Ireland Water say the North Down coast has been hit by "wetwipe monsters from the deep" as vast clumps of them resurface from historical seabeds.
It is thought the litter recently washed up along the coastline at Donaghadee have reappeared with the tide, stirred up from the seabed after settling there for some time.
David Harris, the company's Wastewater Network ’s Area Manager, said the debris is not a result of a recent influx but items which were flushed down the loo some time ago.
He explained: “After closer investigation of our wastewater assets and overflow pipes we know this debris hasn’t appeared as a result of recent operations but are items which have been flushed some time ago.
“Items such as wipes and sanitary items can unfortunately enter the sea when flushed down the toilet and are washed away with the tide, often settling on the sea bed.
"These items can remain there for a considerable time until weather conditions and sea swell cause them to be stirred from the seabed and wash up along our coastlines.
“However, such items ending up in the environment is completely avoidable if everyone adopts the simple habit of binning everything other than the three Ps - pee, poo and paper.
“In the last 10 years, we've spent over £1.5billion investing in water and wastewater infrastructure, but no amount of investment will completely stop blocked pipes or these items polluting our environment if people continue to flush wipes including flushable ones, sanitary items and cotton buds down the toilet.”
NI Water, along with its appointed contractor, has carried out a clean-up of the debris.
