Fake news is real. Fake products are all around us.
This week’s Mayor’s Corner is my humble attempt to save you, your business, and the city unnecessary aggravation, time and resources that can be better spent in other ways.
Flushable wipes will wipe. Flushable wipes will flush. But, should they be flushed after wiping?
This is the question here and unless you just don’t care about stopped up commodes and spending money to repair clogged pipes, the answer is NO.
Note: My son, the plumber, will say I’m costing him business.
But, let me say again. Think before you flush flushable wipes.
Flushable wipes are marketed in a variety of ways, such as “septic-safe,” “breaks down like toilet paper,” and “safe for sewer and septic.” The problem is that they appear to take longer, much longer, to break down when compared to traditional toilet paper, and, as a result, cause major blockages in sewer systems.
To say otherwise is fake news.
The problem is not an uncommon one, and it happened again this past weekend.
Don’t be fooled by those products labeled as “flushable” – they are not compatible with sewer systems, the material can damage and cause backups to your home, business and community service.
These products’ labels indicate they are safe for sewers and septic systems. In addition to wipes, there are also other cleaning products that are labeled as “flushable” which may go down the toilet, but they are not breaking down sufficiently. Time and again this leads to clogged pipes and jammed pumps in sewer systems across our Town and the country.
What flushables do make it through the system and lift station pumps, to the treatment lagoons, finally clog up Bar-Screens there. If you ever want to see the process of a cleanup there – just call for an appointment.
Finally, consider this. Sewer backups can be a threat to public health and they present a challenge to our water utilities by diverting resources away from the essential work being done to treat and manage our wastewater.
Disinfecting wipes, baby wipes and paper towels and a whole list of others, should NEVER be flushed.
So, while the temptation might be there to treat and dispose of these the same way as toilet paper, you should not flush disposable wipes into your septic or sewer system.
Think – before you flush.
Sam