In addition to utility companies’ problems with “flushable” wipes in sewer systems, property owners often face clogged pipes and/ or grinder pumps from these misleading wipes, which lead to sewage overflows, backups and costly repairs. If you’ve experienced issues with wipes, you can help prevent it from happening to others while helping to avoid the environmental and health hazards this can cause. Spread the word by sharing information like this from WaterOnline.com:
By Peter Chawaga, Associate Editor, Water Online
[January 27, 2016] The term “flushables” is, of course, a misnomer. It describes pre-moistened towelettes of the type used for diligent personal wiping and takes its name from inaccurately descriptive advertising. The towelettes may be flushable in that they technically make it down the toilet drain when prompted, but they are not flushable in the sense that they are properly dispensed with that way.
After traveling down and into the sewer system, these fiendish rags do not break down like toilet paper but instead jam pipes, wrap themselves around motors, and mix with other substances to form monstrous, passage-blocking globules[1].
The phenomenon can cause millions of dollars in damage to a single utility and countless hours of maintenance work to remedy.
“Hundreds of employee hours are invested annually to unclog sewer lines, clear screens, and repair broken pumps,” said Nicole Kaiser, the water communications coordinator for DC Water. “Some utilities have estimated significant costs with damage from these items, including the installation of specialized equipment to break material down before they enter the treatment process.”
While playing defense against the problem with such specialized equipment is an option, the machinery can cost into the millions to install and does nothing to prevent the flushables from entering the system in the first place. Many of the affected parties have been forced to take action at the source of the problem, the manufacturers.
