Christina Spicer  |  April 29, 2021

Category: Household

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Flushable Wipes ‘Wreaking Havoc’ on Wastewater Systems, Claims City’s Class Action Lawsuit

City of Charleston wastewater operators are attempting to hold so-called flushable wipes makers responsible for millions of dollars of damage to systems caused by their products in a class action filed in federal court.  

Indeed, the lawsuit, filed earlier this year, gained traction with at least one defendant, Kimberly-Clark, manufacturer of Cottonelle, Scott Naturals, and Pull-Ups brands, who agreed to change how it makes and advertises its flushable wipes in a proposed settlement agreement filed with the court Monday.  

“The Settlement provides significant injunctive relief – including a first-ever commitment by a flushable wipes manufacturer to meet a national municipal wastewater industry flushability standard and industry-leading labeling improvements,” say court documents.  

Lead plaintiff, the Charleston Wastewater System, claims in its class action that major retailers, such as Costco, CVS, and Walmart, falsely advertise the wipes as flushable to consumers who send the products down their toilets resulting in massive clogs both in private homes and in municipal systems.  

“Wipes have always been a huge issue for the wastewater industry here at Charleston Water System and there are many different types of wipes on the market,” Charleston Water System spokesperson Mike Saia told ABC 4 News. “The biggest problems with wipes in general is that people have formed habits and become accustomed to using that wipe and flushing it down the toilet.” 

The result is millions of dollars of damage to municipal wastewater systems clogged up with wipes, claims Charleston Wastewater, which seeks to represent other municipal water systems nationwide in the fight against falsely advertised flushable wipes.

“When we find masses of wipes in our sewers, they’re either combined together in a large ball or they form a rope like structure,” Saia told reporters. “In your home plumbing, they may snag inside the pipes but they definitely cause problems when they reach our sewer system. They mix with fats, oils and grease and actually connect with each other to make ropes or large masses that foul up our pumps.” 

Charleston Wastewater says in its class action lawsuit that it conducted tests on most of the wipes advertised as “flushable” on the market and found that only one, Cottonelle, actually broke down to some degree. But even the best wipe still had room for improvement, warned the agency.  

The class action lawsuit claims the industry has been reluctant to change how it makes and advertises the product, leading consumers to believe that the wipes are safe to flush. Indeed, consumers have been hitting wipe makers with class action lawsuits alleging false advertising for years with a claim filed over TopCare flushable wipes earlier this month.  

The flushable wipe market reaped a reported $2.1 billion in sales in 2018 and continues to grow; however, Charleston Wastewater and others claim that the wipes do not meet flushability standards and, indeed, do not disintegrate at all, leaving consumers and municipalities to pay the plumbing costs.  

Have you had issues with flushable wipes clogging up your plumbing? We want to hear from you! Tell us about your experience in the comment section below.  

The lead plaintiff, Commissioners of Public Works of the City of Charleston, is represented by F. Paul Calamita of Aqualaw PLC and Samuel H. Rudman, Mark S. Reich, Vincent M. Serra and Sarah E. Delaney of Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP.  

The Flushable Wipes Class Action Lawsuit is Commissioners of Public Works of the City of Charleston v. Costco Wholesale Corporation et al., Case No. 2:21-cv-00042, in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, Charleston Division. 

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20 thoughts onFlushable Wipes ‘Wreaking Havoc’ on Wastewater Systems, Claims City’s Class Action Lawsuit

  1. Ada Rivera says:

    Add me I was affected by Walmart brand flushable. Wipes

  2. Amanda Beeler says:

    Add me i had to hire a plummer cist me 400.00 and some dollars

  3. Angelica Romero says:

    Add me

  4. James Edward Sharpe says:

    please add me. my home was affected by Costco flushable wipes

  5. Karen Wieland says:

    I use them, apartment has warned everyone not to flush.

  6. Claire Godfrey says:

    Add me pls! We use the Walmart brand on a regular basis. I’m so angry!

  7. Marion says:

    Add me please. Wondered why my septic was backing up.

  8. Donald says:

    Add me please

  9. Angela says:

    Please add me

  10. TERI MATHEWS says:

    Add me please

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