The toilet paper drought is leading to costly drain blockages in Victorian sewers.

Water and waste services provider Coliban Water said on Tuesday the flushing of toilet paper alternatives is creating waste water spills of up to 20,000 litres.

Supermarkets across Australia have sold out of toilet paper as people panic buy amid the coronavirus.

The toilet paper drought is leading to costly drain blockages in Victorian sewers (Clogged sewer on March 6)

Shoppers panic buy toilet paper amid the coronavirus outbreak

Coliban Water said when people turn to tissues, wet wipes and even paper towel when they visit the loo, an extensive and expensive clean up will follow.

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'We know they all look flushable, but the reality is, not all paper is created equally,' manager of customer operations Steve Dunlop said.

'Most of these products are designed to absorb water, not break down. They block the system and cost customers money.'

The company reminds customers 'only the three Ps can be flushed; pee, poo and toilet paper.'

The company estimated the consequence of sewer spills to cost around $1.4 million of customer money each year.

The flushing of toilet paper alternatives is creating waste water spills of up to 20,000 litres (pictured: Sewers blocked by toilet paper alternatives)

Last month, a woman had a $16,000 plumbing bill to repair her private pipes after she flushed wet wipes - and facial tissues are also a problem (Sydney Water cleaning out sewers)

Sydney Water also urged people to throw items in the bin and not into the toilet seat as it costs thousands of dollars to repair.

Last month, a woman had a $16,000 plumbing bill to repair her private pipes after she flushed wet wipes - and facial tissues down the toilet.

'People would be very surprised to know that facial tissues, although they are made from fine materials, do not break down and should not be flushed,' Sydney Water spokesperson Jackson Vernon said.

Make-up wipes, cleaning wipes, cigarette butts, cotton buds, nappies, sanitary pads, condoms, dental floss, left-over medication and hair should never be flushed down the toilet.

Shelves usually stocked with toilet rolls are seen empty in a supermarket following panic buying in Sydney on March 8, 2020

It comes as Coles, Woolworths and Aldi limit toilet paper purchases to just one pack per customer.

Shelves have been stripped bare amid the killer coronavirus outbreak as people continue to panic-buy essential items.

Coles and Woolworths have announced further limits of certain products as they struggle to refill shelves.

They have also announced a dedicated shopping hour for elderly customers so they can stock up on essential items before the stores open the public.

Woolworths began their dedicated senior hour on Tuesday between 7am-8am.

Coles will begin their dedicated hour on Wednesday from 7am-8am. All shoppers must present a government-issued Pensioner Concession Card, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, Companion Card and Health Care Card.

IGA is considering the idea as they trial at an IGA in Melbourne's Altona, with a shopping hour between 6am to 7am.