CWEA Wastewater Professional :: April 2014 March 2014 Volume 2 | Page 26

Feature Article | Solving the challenge of non-dispersible wipes 24 So what other tactics should we consider? I would propose: 1. Conduct a cost survey – how big is the problem and how much is it costing wastewater agencies? We hope to release a survey soon so please keep track of the cost of pump ragging. 2. Aggressive public education – when the Maine outreach campaign is finished, the TV ads, literature, messaging and website will likely be made available for all public wastewater agencies to customize with their names, logos, and local contacts.This gives us a running start to roll-out catchy “do not flush” campaigns, including a focus on baby wipes as Maine did. 3. Investing in technology and research – this applies to both our profession and the wipes manufacturers. Better sewer and wipe technologies are out there, they simply need testing, investment and implementation. Since the clean water sector is already under- funded, higher sewer rates may be needed to pay for upgrades to pumping stations and finer screening at treatment plants. If customers want to use wipes, they need to fund sewer systems that can safely and reliably process material. At the same time, wipes manufacturers need to sell wipes which disperse within the time allotment we can all agree to. 4. Collaboration – as I meet with various groups on this issue I realize there are more groups we should be meeting with. After collaborating with wipes manufacturers and looking at our research we know we need to reach out to other groups, including: paper towel manufacturers; prison and jail officials; nursing home operators; hospital owners; day care centers; and then we need to go to the makers of pharmaceuticals and personal care products; and so on. A brave new world of collaboration is needed. 5. Wastewater professionals need to meet, discuss and agree on what we should do next. 2014 will be a big decision year for us. Should we work with the wipes manufacturers? What is the amount of time that defines dispersibility? And what’s happening to the pulp in our sewer systems? We’re at a stage where we need answers sooner rather than later. So please be sure to join us Friday morning at the nondispersible wipes roundtable at Annual Conference 2014. No wonder OCSD started What2Flush.com – purifying wastewater would be so much more efficient, straightforward and affordable if people flushed the 3 Ps – poo, pee and toilet paper. Okay maybe the occasional puke too in an emergency. However, consumer advertising is teaching people some really bad habits about what they can flush. The faster we prioritize and take action – the sooner sewer professionals can stop climbing down into dangerous conditions and pulling rags and debris out of sewer pumps by hand. It’s our job to ensure California’s sewers keep flowing, but not like this. Have a suggestion or solution? Contact me at 714428-4614 or [email protected]. Mr. Mackie is a member of WEF’s Work Group on NonDispersibles and Marketing Manager for JWC Environmental, manufacturer of the Muffin Monster sewage grinder. Wastewater Professional April 2014