EPA: Do not flush anything other than toilet paper to help keep sewage systems running efficiently

With increased sanitary measures taking center stage amid the coronavirus pandemic, federal environmental officials are asking Americans to stop flushing disinfecting wipes in an effort to keep sewage systems functioning properly.

“Flushing anything other than toilet paper, including disinfecting wipes, can damage internal plumbing, local sewer systems and septic systems,” EPA officials wrote in a news release.

In recent weeks, water and sewer officials from Virginia to Michigan to California have urged residents not to flush the wipes, which do not break down and frequently cause clogs.

The city of Ventura, Calif., has even gone so far as to start a “No Wipes in the Pipes” campaign to try and stop the practice, which is exacerbated by many of the disinfecting wipes being labeled as “flushable.”

In 2018, Procter & Gamble settled a class-action lawsuit related to the labeling on its Charmin Freshmates Flushable Wipes, which advertised them as “flushable” and “septic safe.” Several plaintiffs in the suit ended up with thousands in expenses after the wipes caused back-ups or damage to septic systems.

Delmont officials know how expensive the issue can be: they spent more than $100,000 to install a grinder and catch baskets in 2015 at the Cramer Pump Station, in large part to deal with disinfecting wipes which were traced back to a nearby senior care facility.

“It was an additional expense that we had to deal with,” borough Councilman Stan Cheyne said.

EPA officials stressed the importance of well-functioning waste water systems during a public health crisis.

“Having fully operational waste water services is critical to containing covid-19 and protecting Americans from other public health risks. Our nation’s waste water employees are everyday heroes who are on the front line of protecting human health and the environment every single day,” its release reads.