Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

235 Promenade Street | Providence, RI 02908 | 401.222.4700 | www.dem.ri.gov | @RhodeIslandDEM

 

 

                                                                                                             

 

AS REPORTS OF WASTEWATER SYSTEM DAMAGE INCREASE, DEM REITERATES: DISPOSE OF DISINFECTANT WIPES IN THE TRASH

Flushing cleaning wipes causes clogs and can lead to overflows

in wastewater collection systems  

 

PROVIDENCE – With new reports of damaged pump stations and overwhelmed screening facilities in Rhode Island wastewater collection and treatment systems, the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is once again urging all Rhode Islanders to refrain from flushing disinfectant wipes – including those labeled “flushable” – and instead, to dispose of them in the trash.  DEM is also asking retailers to post signs alerting customers to not flush various wipes, even if the product is labeled as “flushable.”

 

“Proper functioning of our wastewater treatment system is critical to protecting public health by preventing viruses and bacteria from getting into your homes, onto roadways and into our waterways,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “Among the other protective measures needed at this time, Rhode Islanders need to be vigilant about what they do and don’t flush!”

 

A pump removed from the Congdon Street pump station in Narragansett yesterday was clogged with wipes and paper towels.

 

This week, the Town of Narragansett reported a failure of two pumps at one of the town’s sewer pumping stations. The damage resulted from a buildup of wipes clogging the inner core of both pumps. While the swift action of town wastewater staff prevented a release of sewage to the environment, the cost of responding to the failure, setting up temporary bypass systems, and eventual repairs is estimated at $7,300.

 

Earlier in the week, wastewater crews in the Town of Burrillville reported similar buildups of wipes in their collection systems.

 

Whether your home or business is connected to the public sewer system or has an onsite wastewater treatment system, you should never flush any type of wipes, including baby wipes and those labeled flushable, down the toilet.  Instead, you should place these products in the trash for proper disposal.

 

In addition to causing clogs and wastewater collection system overflows, flushing wipes can also lead to sewer back-ups in basements and damage wastewater treatment equipment. Although some of these products may be labeled as flushable, most wipes are made with fine plastic mesh that does not break down in water as toilet paper does.  These wipes are clogging and damaging expensive wastewater pumps and sewer lines in Rhode Island and across the nation.

 

At a time when we’re washing our hands and wiping down surfaces more frequently, DEM is strongly urging citizens and businesses to do their part and help avoid sewer system damage and overflows by disposing of these wipes in the trash rather than flushing them away.

 

According to the Water Environment Association, the following items should NEVER be flushed: 

Baby wipes and diapers

● Rags and towels

● Cotton swabs

● Syringes

● Candy and other food wrappers

● Clothing labels

● Cleaning sponges

● Toys

● Plastic items of any kind

● Aquarium gravel or kitty litter

● Rubber items such as latex gloves

● Cigarette butts

● Sanitary napkins

● Hair

● Underwear

● Disposable toilet brushes

 

For more information, visit the Water Environment Federation website at https://www.wef.org/resources/for-the-public/public-information/fact-sheets/ and click on "It's a Toilet, Not a Trash Can!" in the left-hand menu.

 

For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely updates.

 

###

 

 

 

 

Sean "Diddy" Combs is being ordered to remain locked up until sentencing after being found guilty of transporting people for prostitution. Combs was found not guilty of the most serious charges against him, including racketeering and sex trafficking. He is expected to be sentenced on October 3rd.        Speaker Mike Johnson says he's hopeful the House can pass President Trump's "big, beautiful bill" sometime tonight. Speaking to reporters this afternoon, Johnson said lawmakers are making progress and having good conversations and he thinks they can "proceed tonight," and "get this done." The House remains stalled, with lawmakers yet to take the initial procedural vote to set the terms for debate.        Bryan Kohberger has officially pleaded guilty to fatally stabbing four college students in Idaho. In a Boise court today, Kohberger sat motionless while he accepted a plea deal that takes the death penalty off the table for the 2022 murders. He only spoke the single words, "yes" and "no," as the judge went through the plea. The prosecution detailed the evidence it had against Kohberger, including his Amazon purchase history of the knife used to commit the murders.        A small plane crash at Cross Keys Airport in Gloucester County, New Jersey has left multiple people injured. The incident occurred when a small plane that was reportedly involved in skydiving operations crashed near the airport in Williamstown. The Gloucester County Emergency Management described the event as a "mass casualty incident" and advised the public to avoid the area to allow emergency vehicles access.        The Pentagon says U.S. strikes have knocked Iran's nuclear program back "closer to two years." Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell gave the assessment Wednesday -- one that's more optimistic than what UN inspectors have said. Last weekend, the International Atomic Energy Agency said Iran could be enriching uranium in a matter of months.        The Fourth of July travel period is in full swing. Triple-A is predicting over 72 million-people will venture at least 50 miles from home over the Independence Day holiday period that started on June 28th and goes through July 6th. That's an additional one-point-three-million road travelers compared to 2024.