Disposable wipes are costing sewage systems millions of dollars

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-05/acs-dwa051315.php

Public Release: 13-May-2015
American Chemical Society

Several class-action lawsuits filed recently against the makers of flushable wet-wipes have brought to light a serious -- and unsavory -- problem: The popular cleaning products might be clogging sewer systems. But whether the manufacturers should be held accountable is still up in the air, according to an article in Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN), the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society.

Jessica Morrison, assistant editor at C&EN, reports that New York City alone claims to have spent more than $18 million over six years clearing wipes from its wastewater treatment facilities. Last month, the city of Wyoming, Minnesota, filed suit against the manufacturers of these products. It is seeking $5 million in damages and a declaration from the court that the wipes should not go down the drain. In at least four additional class-action lawsuits, consumers are claiming the products have damaged household plumbing, sewers and septic systems.

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