Joining The Fight Against ‘Flushables’

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.”

Taxonomy

• Composting Toilet
• Portable Toilets & Waste Management
• Waste to Energy