Author: GREENWOOD UD

Due to the City of Houston’s loss of pressure and issuance of a Boil Water Notice, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the Greenwood Utility District (TX1010554) public water system to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc). Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions).

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.

In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.

When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the public water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes.

Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Municipal District Services at 281- 290-6500 or www.mdswater.com.

It’s important that all residents read our latest post about “flushable” wipes and the havoc they bring to the sewer system. Flushing these wipes down the drain costs taxpayers money as they clog up the systems regularly. Learn more below.

Finally, we wrap up our last newsletter this year by wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season, and a very Happy New Year.

Greenwood Board of Directors

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READ THE LATEST NEWS FROM GREENWOOD UD

The Problem With “Flushable” Wipes

When wipes are flushed down the toilet, the district incurs significant costs to make repairs to the district’s sewer lines and sewer pumps. You may also face issues in your pipes at home.

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Flushable wipes, marketed as an alternative to toilet paper, are slowly but surely causing significant damage to the nation’s sewer systems and the environment. Because these wipes don’t disintegrate like toilet paper, they cause considerable problems by clogging drains and sewers.

What’s the big deal? The package says flushable.

Currently, there are no regulations regarding the use of the word “flushable” when marketing these products. That means baby wipes, flushable wipes, makeup wipes, and other such products can claim to be flushable even though they cause substantial issues within home plumbing and sewer systems.

Unlike toilet paper, these wipes do not break down easily. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, “Over 50% of the raw materials used in wet wipes are cellulosic natural biopolymers such as regenerated fibres (Rayon and Lyocell), wood pulp and cotton, that are all able to biodegrade in an aquatic environment. For a product to be fully biodegradable it must entirely consist of these materials, however synthetic fibres can be found in wet wipes labelled as flushable. Toilet paper as an example is a material which solely consists of cellulosic pulp and disintegrates well after disposal.”

The problem compounds when the non-biodegradable material contained in flushable wipes meet other materials in the sewer system, like oil. The grease accumulates on the wipes, and large balls of grease and wipes form. These masses clog the sewage system’s vital components and must be removed regularly. Major clogs can damage the system causing increased fees and costs to the taxpayers.

“Greenwood Utility District continues to experience substantial issues with residents
improperly disposing of wipes and grease into the district’s sanitary sewer system.
When these items are flushed down the toilet or poured down the sink, the district is
incurring significant costs making repairs to the district’s sewer lines and sewer pumps.” – Municipal District Services

How To Solve This Problem

The Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety Act (WIPPES) was introduced to the House in 2021. The act would require the Federal Trade Commission to issue regulations requiring manufacturers responsible for labeling retail packaging of premoistened, nonwoven wipes to label such products clearly and noticeably with the phrase “Do Not Flush.” The WIPPES Act has been amended and is now awaiting approval by the House Ways & Means Committee. This proposed legislation will ensure that consumers know whether they are purchasing a flushable product that they can safely flush down the toilet without damaging their pipes or clogging sewers.

Until consumers are more clearly informed about the products they purchase, the best solution is to toss the disposable wipes into a trash can after use. That same sentiment is true for any non-biodegradable product that may get stuck in the system, including makeup wipes, baby wipes, cleaning wipes, cotton balls, Q-tips, feminine hygiene products, dental floss, etc. The only appropriate flushable items are toilet paper and human waste.

Spread the word to your family, friends, and neighbors about the dangers of flushing these products down the drain. Remember – Wipes Clog Pipes.

Contact the district if you have any questions regarding what is safe and unsafe to pour or flush down your drains.