No Wipes Down the Pipes

Wipes, cloths, and rags are being found in sanitary sewers at an ever increasing rate. Many of these products are labeled as flushable, but they will most likely cause problems downstream.

These products are becoming notorious for blocking private sewer laterals, public sewer mains, and binding up municipal pumps. Items that specifically list the term flushable (but should NOT be flushed) include diapers and diaper liners, baby wipes, pre-moistened wipes, a wide variety of bathroom cleaning wipes and brushes, feminine hygiene products, toilet seat covers, doggy doo-doo bags, and cat litter.

Other products have been found to clog pipes and pumps after being flushed include Q-tips, dental floss, paper towels, and rags. Instead, please place these items in a trash can.

Beloit is not the only community impacted by these so-called flushable wipes. From private septic systems to major metropolitan areas, flushable products are causing plugged pipes, sewage backups, and increasing costs of equipment maintenance. Here is a great video demonstrating the impacts flushable wipes and baby wipes are having in New York City: Should you flush that wipe?. While a toilet may be capable of flushing golf balls, these synthetic products simply do not break down and will have to be removed at the treatment plant or in pumping stations.

Even though a product may say it is “Flushable” … Unless it is toilet paper, it should not be flushed!

 

Hundreds of articles and websites are available online educating consumers about the potential issues and concerns of flushing wipes that simply do not break apart.