DIXON, CA (MPG) - City officials ask residents to stop flushing non-flushable materials.

Public information officer Madeline Graf said the Dixon Wastewater Treatment Facility fills up gallons of daily non-flushable debris that threatens pipes.

"Our engineering team reached out to me and let me know we need to start an education campaign regarding the use of flushable wipes as it is an issue getting out of hand at the Wastewater Treatment Facility," Graf said. 

Federal legislation backs the local warning with the Protecting Infrastructure and Promoting Environmental Stewardship Act, PIPES, and the Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety, WIPPES Act.

California Congressman Alan Lowenthal partnered with Michigan Congresswoman Lisa McClain to create both pieces of legislation. The PIPES Act mandates a marketing certification process regarding single-use 'flushable' wet wipes, and WIPPES mandates manufacturers put 'Do Not Flush' on synthetic wet wipes.

Lowenthal said in a press statement, "The problem of flushed wet wipes has created tremendous problems for our water infrastructure for many years and is just one facet of our growing plastics waste pollution crisis.

"The WIPPES Act would provide consumers with the information they need to properly dispose of these wipes, and in doing so protect our water infrastructure and our environment," Lowenthal said.

Graf points to the PIPES and WIPPES Acts, adding, "Often items marked 'flushable' should not be flushed and cause issues at our treatment facility."

Graf explained that while "the automated screens catch about 95% of the materials" at the Dixon facility, "they have still been filling 3-4 5-gallon buckets of debris daily."

With Dixon facing proposed water rate increases and water treatment infrastructure issues, the extra pressure on the system is detrimental.

"This debris can end up shredded and clog the motors, creating costly repairs," Graf said.

Disinfectant wipes and paper towels can also clog pipes and should not be flushed along with synthetic wipes. The public information officer and city officials ask residents to consider the federal acts and the local warning before flushing non-flushable materials, which will inevitably cause an infrastructure issue.