Don't flush those wipes!

Do you talk to customers about what can and can't be flushed down the toilet?

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I’ve had a tremendous response to my June editor’s column about so-called “flushable’’ wipes. There have been several comments on Facebook, a couple of emails and even my friendly local septic system repair contractor called me last night to thank me for sharing my personal experience with plumbing woes brought on by wipes. You can read the column here:

http://www.pumper.com/editorial/2013/06/wipe_out

It seems like everyone has a story to tell about a customer believing the marketing message on the wipes package – that they’re septic safe – and racked up a big bill to remove a clog caused by wipes that don’t break down like toilet paper. Terry Broderson, of Broadview Septic Service in Montana, said it was OK to share the response he sent by email. Not only that, he said, “Actually, I could give an hour lecture on the evils of wipes!’’ Here’s Terry’s email:

“Your article about wipes and the labeling of being flushable is right on the money. The wipes don’t disintegrate. They do break down in the septic tank but when land applied it makes a white mat on the ground that takes quite a while to go wherever. I land apply and the wipes will dry up and blow away. I don’t like to litter so I have to pick up the wipes and this is time and labor intensive. When I tell people to put the wipes in the garbage and not in the toilet they think I’m nuts. The wording on the label should read:  unsafe for septic tanks as they can plug tank filter and drain field.  Worst invention yet.’’

Read more at our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/PumperMag

Thanks Terry. You can keep the conversation going right here. Do you have tips for educating customers about proper use of wipes? Do you have a better solution for Terry to keep those wipes out of his land application site?

Do you have comments on this blog? Respond below or send me an email at editor@pumper.com.



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