Rural Community Assistance Partnership

Practical solutions for improving rural communities
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flushable

Washington Post: ‘Flushable’ personal wipes clogging sewer systems, utilities say

One of the issues that RCAP cares about is going mainstream! It's getting attention by the media and thus the general public. An article appeared on the front page of the Sunday Washington Post on Sept. 8.

The article begins:

"Next time you go to toss that 'flushable' wipe in the toilet, you might want to consider a request from your sewer utility: Don’t.

Great video demonstration: What not to flush

"What comes out of you and toilet paper." These are the only things that should be flushed down the toilet. This informative and entertaining video shows in a great visual way what happens to some common bathroom throw-aways when they're flushed down the toilet - so-called "flushable" things like kitty litter or baby wipes. In a demonstration by a sewage pre-treatment technician, wastewater customers (all of us) can see what happens when dental floss, facial tissue, cotton swabs and feminine napkins are sent through the wastewater system.