Flushable Wipes: The Bane of the Wastewater Industry November 1, 2024 By Katelyn McLaughlin Wastewater, Water News flushable wipes, wastewater, WIPPES Act 0 In the video below, featured on Icon Water's YouTube channel, they test a "flushable" wet wipe to see how well it dissolves in water compared to toilet paper, wet wipes (not labeled flushable), and paper towels. All 4 products are spun for 30 minutes in water to display how well each of these products breaks down when you flush them. Flushable wipes have been the plague of the wastewater industry for years due to the problems they cause for systems. Not only can they clog pipes, damage equipment, and harm the environment, but they require increased maintenance for utilities. The most recent legislation regarding flushable wipes is the Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety (WIPPES) Act. This bill was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in June 2024. This act "would require the Federal Trade Commission to create a uniform label for products that have and/or require a 'Do Not Flush' label" in order to reduce consumer confusion and help to protect wastewater systems. Additionally, Michigan recently passed a law in July 2024 that prohibits manufacturers from marketing wipes as “flushable.” Further Reading... Oregon To Require Do Not Flush Labeling On Wipes | Nonwovens Industry These ‘flushable’ wipes shouldn’t be flushed, plumbers say | The Hill Hanford city warns residents against flushing non-flushable wipes | YourCentralValley.com WIPPES Act - Set To Create National Standard For Wipes Labeling | Nonwovens Industry New Michigan law bans ‘flushable’ label on most bathroom wipes | MLive Comments are closed.