{"id":2237806,"date":"2024-05-05T16:41:02","date_gmt":"2024-05-05T20:41:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/be-careful-what-you-flush\/"},"modified":"2024-05-05T16:48:29","modified_gmt":"2024-05-05T20:48:29","slug":"be-careful-what-you-flush","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/be-careful-what-you-flush\/","title":{"rendered":"Watch What You Dispose Of"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">10<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fbe-careful-what-you-flush%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2237806&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article discusses the impact\u2063 of COVID-19 on Americans&#8217; sanitation habits, highlighting the need to avoid flushing non-biodegradable items,\u200d such\u200c as wipes and paper towels, into sewage systems. It emphasizes the potential \u2064damage, health risks, and costs associated with improper disposal, urging proper waste management to maintain the functionality of septic and municipal treatment systems. The importance of educating the public on this issue is also emphasized.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<header> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/lifestyle\/\">  Lifestyle &#038; Human Interest <\/a>   <span> <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/author\/msuextension\/\">  <\/a> <\/p>\n<p> <span>   By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/author\/msuextension\/%20\"><span>Ruth Kline-Robach and Patricia Norris, Michigan State University Extension<\/span><\/a> <\/span> <span>   May 5, 2024 at 12:22pm <\/span> <\/span>  <\/header>\n<section>\n<p>Due to COVID-19 Americans are paying much closer attention to disinfection and sanitation in their homes and workplaces.<\/p>\n<p>In turn, things that should not be flushed down toilets are entering private septic systems and municipal sewer systems, causing damage.<\/p>\n<p>These <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/scientists-find-covid-contains-chunk-of-dna-that-matches-sequence-patented-by-moderna-three-years-before-pandemic-began\/\" title=\"Scientists Find COVID Contains Chunk of DNA That Matches Sequence Patented by Moderna Three Years Before Pandemic Began\">waste treatment systems<\/a> are designed to handle human waste and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/cvs-stores-dc-resort-framed-portraits-toilet-paper-products-counter-rampant-theft\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">toilet paper<\/a> only. Things like facial tissues, baby wipes, paper towels, gloves, and anti-bacterial wipes can damage the systems, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fda-recalls-multiple-supplements\/\" title=\"FDA Recalls Multiple Supplements\">pose potential health risks<\/a>, and lead to costly repairs.<\/p>\n<p>Even personal care wipes with packaging that says \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.canr.msu.edu\/news\/are_flushable_bathroom_products_safe_for_sewer_and_septic_systems\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">flushable<\/a>\u201d and \u201cseptic-safe\u201d aren\u2019t really.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pca.state.mn.us\/business-with-us\/disposable-wipes-toolkit-persuading-people-not-to-flush\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Flushable<\/a> just means they will go down the drain. It doesn\u2019t mean they can be handled by the treatment systems receiving them.<\/p>\n<p>Individual <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/locals-furious-about-impact-of-new-chinese-owned-ev-battery-plant-they-took-the-lands-they-destroyed-the-soil\/\" title=\"Locals Furious About Impact of New Chinese-Owned EV Battery Plant: 'They Took the Lands, They Destroyed the Soil'\">household wastewater<\/a> treatment systems typically use a septic tank, which allows heavy waste matter to settle to the bottom, and floatables such as fats, oils, grease and hair to rise to the top, forming a scum layer.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/photo-green-liquid-seen-coming-manholes-nyc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">liquid<\/a> in the middle of the tank is then directed to a drain field, where the soil naturally filters the liquid waste before it reaches the groundwater.<\/p>\n<p>Toilet paper degrades quickly in water, but other materials don\u2019t break down readily and can clog the system.<\/p>\n<p>Any solids other than human waste can strain the process and potentially lead to clogged drain fields and failed systems. Repairs can be protracted and costly.<\/p>\n<div id=\"firefly-poll-container\">\n<p>Would you like to see more articles like this one?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Michigan State University Extension\u00a0provides information on maintaining home septic systems as part of its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canr.msu.edu\/septic_system_education\/index\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Septic System Education<\/a> program.<\/p>\n<p>For most residents living in more suburban or urban areas, household wastewater is directed to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/be-careful-what-you-flush-2\/\" title=\"Here is an optimized and concise version of the text: \"Watch What You Dispose of\">municipal treatment facility<\/a>. Such a facility may consist of a series of wastewater lagoons in smaller communities or wastewater treatment plants\/water resource recovery facilities in larger towns and cities.<\/p>\n<p>In the preliminary treatment phase at a wastewater facility, large debris is screened out or ground up. This process is not designed to handle materials like wipes, gloves, or similar types of materials.<\/p>\n<p>In 2018, a \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/fb.watch\/rQf5R9aVhn\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">fatberg<\/a>\u201d was discovered in Macomb County during routine cleaning of the sewer lines. This combination of fats, oils, greases and solids (including baby wipes) created a mass of waste estimated to be about 100 feet long and six feet tall, with an estimated removal cost of $100,000.<\/p>\n<p>A sample of this monstrosity is now on display at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mi-sci.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Michigan Science Center<\/a> in Detroit.<\/p>\n<p>Sadly, this isn\u2019t unusual in the sewer industry. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sydneywater.com.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sydney Water<\/a> in Sydney, Australia, posted last week about their own struggles with fatbergs.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis mess is what our technicians are faced with every day. Can you spot the main culprit?\u201d Sydney Water posted on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SydneyWater\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook<\/a>. \u201cWhat you see below is the result of people flushing wet wipes, paper towel, cotton buds and other sanitary products down the toilet.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>One more thing to consider: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/watch-bidenomics-7-apple-sends-shopper-intense-meltdown-goes-viral\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Shoppers<\/a> are now using gloves and wipes to protect personal health when they visit commercial establishments.<\/p>\n<p>If these items are discarded in parking lots, they may end up in storm drains, clogging the catch basins and possibly polluting area rivers and streams. These items should be placed in trash receptacles.<\/p>\n<p>Everyone plays a role in ensuring wastewater treatment systems, including individual septic systems and municipal facilities, function properly.<\/p>\n<p>Paul Stokes, superintendent of the East Lansing Water Resource Recovery Facility, said wastewater professionals have been expressing concern about this topic for years.<\/p>\n<p>His advice: 1) place a wastebasket near your toilet (preferably one with a lid) to dispose of all the things that should not be flushed, and 2) practice flushing the 3 Ps \u2014 pee, poop and (toilet) paper only.<\/p>\n<p><em>This article appeared originally on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canr.msu.edu\/outreach\/index\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Michigan State University Extension<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"author-info-45298\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/author\/msuextension\/\">  <\/a> <\/p>\n<div>\n<p><label for=\"summary-tab-radio-45298\">Summary<\/label><label for=\"more-info-tab-radio-45298\">More<span> Biographical Information<\/span><\/label><label for=\"posts-tab-radio-45298\">Recent<span> Posts<\/span><\/label><label for=\"contact-tab-radio-45298\" onclick=\"if( typeof grecaptcha=='undefined' ) { let cap_s=document.createElement( 'script' ); cap_s.src='https:\/\/www.google.com\/recaptcha\/api.js?render=6LeJFcsUAAAAAPsIEqvB1EebWbZfqRUe6ebMpGy7'; document.body.appendChild( cap_s ); }\">Contact<\/label><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Michigan State University (MSU) Extension helps people improve their lives by bringing the vast knowledge resources of MSU directly to individuals, communities and businesses. For more than 100 years, MSU Extension has helped grow Michigan\u2019s economy by equipping Michigan residents with the information that they need to do their jobs better, raise healthy and safe families, build their communities and empower our children to dream of a successful future.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>  Michigan State University (MSU) Extension helps people improve their lives by bringing the vast knowledge resources of MSU directly to individuals, communities and businesses. For more than 100 years, MSU Extension has helped grow Michigan\u2019s economy by equipping Michigan residents with the information that they need to do their jobs better, raise healthy and safe families, build their communities and empower our children to dream of a successful future. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lifestyle &amp; Human Interest: Ruth Kline-Robach and Patricia Norris from Michigan State University Extension reported on May 5, 2024, at 12:22pm that due to COVID-19, Americans are more vigilant about disinfection. Consequently, inappropriate items are ending up in private septic systems and municipal sewers<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2237807,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/hand-flushing-the-toilet.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2237806","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/hand-flushing-the-toilet.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2237806","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2237806"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2237806\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2237807"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2237806"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2237806"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2237806"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}