‘No wipes in the pipes,’ mayor says

Flushable cloths causing havoc for wastewater crews

Wiping a town clean can become a chore when it comes to getting rid of sewage.

The city of De Queen, Ark., had to remind residents recently not to flush “disposable” wipes.

The message from Mayor Billy Ray McKelvy is “no wipes in the pipes.”

Disposable wipes are threatening wastewater systems around the country, McKelvy said in his “around

town” column.

Wipes are promoted as disposable and they will go down the toilet, but they cause problems down the line. While toilet paper will break down in water, many of the wipes are made with plastic and other fibers that don’t.

When these collect downstream, they can stop the flow of water, and that results in a sewer spill or an overflowing manhole, McKelvy said.

If they make it to the treatment plant, they can get caught on machinery in the system.

“Consumers are being told by the packaging that these things are flushable,” said a spokesman for the National Association of Clean Water Agencies. “They cause huge headaches for the utilities.”

The market for disposable wipes is growing, and products are being marketed for specialized uses such as baby wipes, makeup removal, kitchen cleaners and antibacterial scrubs. The wastewater industry isn’t saying not to use wipes. Just throw them in the trash, not in the toilet.

Recently, after a local backup and spill, the city’s wastewater crew asked to send out a reminder to companies that are big users of wipes.

“It’s not a pleasant topic to talk about, but it’s important. The only thing going down the drain should be toilet paper and human waste,” McKelvy said.

Remember, “no wipes in the pipes,” he said.