HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-03-20 DEM Issues Plea to Not Flush So-called Flushable Wipes -- press release
Harry Kim
William A. Kucharski
Mayor
Director
Roy Takemoto
Diane A. Noda
Managing Director
Deputy Director
County of Hawai‘i
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
345 Kekūanāoʻa Street, Suite 41 · Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720
Ph: (808) 961-8083 · Fax: (808) 961-8086
Email: cohdem@hawaiicounty.gov
NEWS RELEASE
March 20, 2020
Environmental Management’s Plea: Please do not Flush “Flushable” Wipes
Keeping Hawai‘i County’s sewer systems up and running is crucial during the
Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, which is why people should not flush wipes and
paper towels.
These commercial products contribute to line-blocking, and the increasing use of these
products make the problem much worse and at the worst time, according to Bill
Kucharski, Director of Environmental Management.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, there has been a significant increase in the use of
cleansing wipes in homes and offices. Although the packaging states that the wipes are
“flushable,” they should not be flushed.
“These wipes are made with micro-plastics and do not dissolve in the waste water,”
Kucharski said. “They stay whole after being flushed.”
Additionally, the structure of the wipes lends itself to clinging to and catching on rough
pipe interiors and in pump stations, which push waste water to the sewage treatment
plants.
Kucharski said this can result in the ultimate blockage of the sewer, and a blocked
sewer can then cause your toilet and drains to backup. Wipes do not act like toilet paper
in the waste water, he said.
Kucharski appealed to people to dispose of the wipes in regular waste containers and
not in your toilets.
“The people who work every day keeping our sewer systems working need your help
now more than ever, and so please dispose of these wipes in your trash, not in your
toilets, Kucharski said.
For further information, please call Environmental Management at 961-8083.
County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer