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n response to increasing problems from wipes and other non-
dispersible products that are flushed into the sewer system,
NACWA launched a new campaign last fall to protect util-
ity pipes, pumps, plants, and personnel from these products.
Utilities across the country are spending millions of dollars to clean
these products out of their pumps and other equipment – and to
replace equipment that should have had many more useful years of
service. The issue received a tremendous amount of media attention
in the last year, including an article in
USA Today
, a front-page story
in the
Washington Post
, and multiple local television and
newspaper stories featuring NACWA Member Agencies.
A complete list of media coverage and other resources is
available at
.
Improving Product Stewardship a Key Goal
NACWA is currently working with the Water
Environment Federation (WEF), the American Public
Works Association (APWA), and INDA (the association of the non-
woven fabrics industry) on issues related to flushability and prod-
uct labeling for wipes. These organizations have formed a techni-
cal workgroup, supported in part with NACWA’s Targeted Action
Fund (TAF), to examine INDA’s flushability guidelines and code of
practice for using the “do not flush” logo on certain products. The
workgroup will complete its series of meetings and conference calls
this fall. NACWA will determine its next advocacy steps regarding
wipes based on the results and recommendations of the technical
workgroup.
In addition to wipes, many other product are commonly flushed,
despite their damaging effects to the sewer system. These products
include paper towels, feminine hygiene products, and dental floss.
The Association plans to work with retailers and manufacturers of
these products to improve labeling and product stewardship, to bet-
ter communicate to product users the proper disposal of these items
– in a trash can, not in the toilet.
Consumer Habits Critical
Consumer habits seem to have changed in recent years, with a de-
creasing awareness of what should and should not be flushed down a
toilet. A pilot public education campaign,
Save Your Pipes: Don’t Flush
Baby Wipes
, was conducted earlier this year in the Portland, Maine
area. Funding for the campaign was provided primarily by INDA,
with NACWA, the Maine Water Environment Association, and indi-
vidual utilities also contributing. It featured two television ads and
a variety of print advertising, with consumer research and analysis
of screened materials at a pump station conducted both before and
after the eight-week campaign. The campaign was successful in de-
creasing the amount of flushed baby wipes and other non-dispersible
products, and consumer interviews revealed an increased awareness
of proper flushing habits.
Many utilities are trying to educate their ratepayers about flushing
only the “3 Ps” – pee, poop, and (toilet) paper – and NACWA will be
exploring the possibility of a national campaign to deliver the
Toilets
Are Not Trash Cans
message.
Potentially Harmful Product Additives
Identified for Reduction
In addition to wipes and other non-dispersible products, NACWA’s
campaign is also focusing on product additives – such as triclosan,
plastic microbeads, and pharmaceuticals – that may be harmful to
the wastewater treatment process and/or water qual-
ity. NACWA recently submitted comments supporting
the Food & Drug Administration’s proposed rule that
would essentially eliminate triclosan and other antimi-
crobial additives from consumer soaps and washes. A
final rule is expected in late 2016, and in the meantime,
many manufacturers are voluntarily removing triclosan
from their products.
Manufacturers are also beginning to remove plastic microbeads
from consumer products, after media stories and public outrage
over microbeads being found in the Great Lakes and other water
bodies. In June, Illinois became the first state to ban the sale of
products containing microbeads, and legislation is also pending in
California, New York, New Jersey, Minnesota, and Ohio. Federal leg-
islation has also been introduced. NACWA will follow the progress
of these bills and work with its member agencies to support appro-
priate legislation.
Toilets Are Not Trash Cans! Campaign Seeks to Protect
Pipes, Pumps, Plants, & Personnel
Smart Bunny program sticker courtesy of City of Vancouver, Wash.
