Flushable Wipes and Lift Station Clogs: A Growing Wastewater Problem

A municipality recently contacted BioLynceus® for help with a new, small lift station that was experiencing repeated problems with flushable wipes clogging wastewater equipment.

The operator explained:

“Our new lift station is being clogged with wipes almost daily, sometimes requiring several hours of maintenance. That is very difficult when I am the only employee. Do you know if it is legal, or has it been done, to ban the flushing of wipes by ordinance? We have written letters strongly asking residents not to flush wipes, but it is still happening.”

This is not an isolated problem. Wastewater utilities across the country continue to deal with wipes, non-flushable materials, and other debris entering sewer collection systems.

Why Flushable Wipes Create Problems for Wastewater Systems

Many wipes labeled as “flushable” do not break down as quickly as toilet paper after entering the sewer system.

Instead, they can become trapped in:

Lift station pumps
Sewer lines
Screens
Grinder pumps
Treatment equipment

These materials can combine with fats, oils, grease, and other debris to create larger blockages.

For small wastewater utilities with limited staff, repeated lift station clogs can create significant maintenance, labor, and operational challenges.

Municipal Efforts to Regulate Flushable Wipes

After receiving several questions about wipes and wastewater systems, the BioLynceus® team researched efforts to address the issue through legislation and product labeling requirements.

According to the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), several states, including California, Maine, Minnesota, and New Jersey, had previously considered legislation related to flushable wipes.

Washington, D.C. also approved legislation intended to regulate how wipes could be labeled as “flushable.”

The law was scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2018, and sought to restrict the use of the term “flushable” on wipe packaging when products did not meet certain performance standards.

Legal Challenges Over “Flushable” Labeling

Kimberly-Clark, a major manufacturer of disposable wipes, challenged the Washington, D.C. law.

The company argued that restrictions on the use of the term “flushable” would significantly affect how its products could be marketed and sold within the District.

The dispute highlighted a larger issue facing the wastewater industry: what should qualify as a truly flushable product?

Why Flushable Wipes Matter to Wastewater Utilities

For wastewater operators, the issue goes beyond product labeling.

Wipes that fail to break down quickly can increase:

Lift station maintenance
Pump failures
Sewer blockages
Labor requirements
Equipment wear
Emergency maintenance costs

Public education, clear disposal guidance, and effective wastewater collection system management remain important tools for reducing the impact of wipes on municipal sewer infrastructure.

Figure 1. Sanitary wipes removed from a lift station in Lewiston, MT.

The Legal Debate Over Flushable Wipes

In December 2017, a federal court considered a legal challenge involving Washington, D.C.’s efforts to regulate how disposable wipes could be labeled.

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg noted that the District was attempting to address what he described as the “purported scourge of our sewer system: nonwoven disposable wipes.” The court questioned whether less-restrictive alternatives, such as additional labeling or disclaimers, had been adequately considered.

Kimberly-Clark received a preliminary injunction affecting implementation of the District’s labeling requirements.

At the center of the dispute was an important question for the wastewater industry: What qualifies as a truly flushable wipe?

Washington, D.C. relied on standards supported by wastewater organizations, while wipe manufacturers referenced testing standards developed by the International Nonwovens and Disposables Association (INDA).

The disagreement highlighted the different priorities of wastewater utilities and disposable-wipe manufacturers.

The Cost of Wipes to Wastewater Utilities

For wastewater professionals, improperly flushed wipes are more than a labeling issue.

Wipes and other non-flushable materials can accumulate in:

Sewer lines
Lift stations
Pumps
Screens
Grinder systems
Wastewater treatment equipment

Removing these materials can require significant labor, hauling, equipment maintenance, and emergency response.

For smaller wastewater systems with limited staff, even a single recurring blockage can create a major operational burden.

Industry Education and “Do Not Flush” Labeling

INDA and other industry organizations have promoted voluntary labeling standards and public education programs designed to distinguish flushable products from materials that should be placed in the trash.

At the same time, many municipalities and wastewater utilities have developed their own “Do Not Flush” education campaigns.

One of the simplest messages used by wastewater utilities is the Three Ps:

Pee
Poop
Toilet paper

Everything else should generally be disposed of according to local waste-management guidance rather than being flushed.

What Can Wastewater Utilities Do About Flushable Wipes?

Wastewater utilities can use several strategies to reduce problems caused by wipes and other non-flushable materials.

1. Educate the Community

Public education is one of the most important tools for reducing wipes in wastewater systems.

Residents need clear information about what should and should not be flushed.

Utilities can distribute educational materials through:

Utility bills
Door hangers
Community newsletters
Social media
Public restrooms
Municipal websites
Schools and community organizations

Changing flushing habits can help reduce lift station clogs, pump failures, and sewer maintenance costs.

2. Clearly Define What Is Flushable

Wastewater utilities should establish clear guidance describing which materials can safely enter the sewer system.

Consistent terminology can help residents and commercial facilities understand the difference between products marketed as flushable and materials that actually break down quickly within local wastewater infrastructure.

This is particularly important for smaller wastewater systems, where travel time between the point of discharge and a lift station or treatment facility may be relatively short.

3. Review Local Pretreatment and Sewer Use Ordinances

Municipalities may consider reviewing their pretreatment and sewer use ordinances to determine whether additional language is needed to address materials that contribute to blockages or sewer overflows.

Any ordinance establishing enforcement, penalties, or cost recovery should be developed with qualified legal counsel and approved through the appropriate municipal process.

A well-designed ordinance may help utilities establish responsibility for discharges that create significant collection system problems.

4. Review Applicable Wastewater Regulations

Wastewater utilities should also review applicable federal, state, and local pretreatment requirements when developing policies for non-flushable materials.

Regulatory authority and enforcement options vary depending on the type of wastewater system and the source of the discharge.

Operators should work with legal counsel and regulatory agencies when determining how existing wastewater rules apply to wipes and other materials entering the sewer system.

5. Identify Major Sources of Non-Flushable Materials

Locating the source of wipes can help utilities address the problem before materials reach pumps or treatment equipment.

Potential high-use locations may include:

Hospitals
Nursing homes
Daycare centers
Schools
Medical facilities
Commercial buildings
Manufacturing operations
Other institutional facilities

Working directly with these organizations can help reduce improper disposal at the source.

6. Show the Community What Is Being Removed

Visual education can be extremely effective.

Photographs of wipes and other debris removed from pumps, lift stations, and screens can help residents and local officials understand the severity of the problem.

Utilities can document:

Clogged pumps
Accumulated wipes
Maintenance hours
Equipment damage
Disposal costs
Emergency repairs

Connecting flushing behavior with actual maintenance expenses can make public education campaigns more meaningful.

Why Wipes Are Especially Difficult for Small Wastewater Systems

Some wipe manufacturers maintain that products labeled as flushable are designed to break apart while traveling through a wastewater collection system.

However, smaller systems may have short sewer lines and limited travel time before wastewater reaches a lift station, pump, or treatment process.

This can create situations where wipes have not broken apart sufficiently before reaching mechanical equipment.

In addition, many wastewater clogs are caused by products that were never intended to be flushed, including cleaning wipes, baby wipes, paper towels, and other sanitary products.

Use Public Education to Reduce Sewer Blockages

Simple educational campaigns can make a significant difference.

Utilities can use:

Door hangers
Bill inserts
Posters in public restrooms
Website notices
Social media posts
Community presentations

The goal is simple: help residents understand that toilets and drains are not trash cans.

Reducing wipes and other non-flushable materials can save wastewater utilities significant time, labor, maintenance expenses, and equipment costs.

Need Help with Wastewater Collection System Challenges?

BioLynceus® provides wastewater training and technical support for operators facing challenges related to collection systems, lift stations, biological treatment, odors, FOG, and other wastewater issues.

For additional information or assistance, contact Rick Allen at (303) 888-2008 or rick@biolynceus.com.

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