LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - Toys, food wrappers, water balloons and other debris left behind at splash pads can end up in the filtration system, blocking pipes and damaging equipment.

That was the situation at the splash pad in Rodgers Park, which caused a delay in opening and families not able to use the facility.

Chase Helms with the Parks and Recreation Department said little pieces of trash add up and can cause more damage to the splash pads than expected."So some of the main things that we can see are like water balloons or other trash and debris that can get into the drains, and into the system that can clog up the system, create pressure issues, and possibly make it unsafe to properly chlorinate and sanitize the water," Helms said.