Most people don’t think about wastewater infrastructure on a daily basis, but considering where we’d be without it, we really shouldn’t take it for granted.

In the dark ages, households didn’t have drains or pipes to carry wastewater away. Instead, people dumped their chamber pots into the streets. This was not only very gross, but also quite dangerous as disease spreads fast in unsanitary conditions.

Now, we have critical infrastructure and water professionals to thank for our much more hygienic existence. Once our wastewater goes down the drain, we don’t have to worry about it anymore. However, this only remains true if we take good care of the infrastructure—which is a responsibility that falls upon anyone who uses plumbing regularly.

Safeguarding Our Wastewater Infrastructure

We can all help protect our wastewater infrastructure by flushing responsibly. But what does that entail, and why is it so crucial? RFA spoke with Cheryl Vosburg, Executive Director of the Michigan Water Environment Association (MWEA), to help answer these questions.

Vosburg, who has been a member of MWEA for over 35 years, explained the organization’s vital role in supporting Michigan’s water professionals. “We provide space for them to learn from each other and advocate together for the protection of our water resources,” she said. MWEA also provides educational opportunities and facilitates technical committees focused on specific areas of the profession, such as industrial pre-treatment, lab practices, maintenance, collections, etc.

She noted the pervasive problem of improper flushing as a regular topic of conversation among Michigan’s water professionals. “We talk about it all the time. Infrastructure is out of sight, out of mind … everybody just thinks ‘my one little non-flushable item is not a big deal.'”

But it’s the collective impact of these individual actions that creates significant problems for wastewater systems everywhere.

The New Michigan Wet Wipes Labeling Law

Michigan recently passed a law that requires baby wipes, surface cleaning wipes, and other non-flushable wipes commonly used in the bathroom to prominently display the “Do Not Flush” symbol on packaging. California, Washington, Oregon, Illinois, Colorado, and New Jersey have passed similar proper labeling legislation.

These laws aim to help consumers easily recognize non-flushable wipes—as these items can damage the sewage infrastructure that keeps us and our environment safe. In fact, Michigan clean water utilities pay an estimated $18 million per year in unplanned operating expenses to make repairs caused by things that should never have been flushed in the first place.

An important distinction of the law is that it requires “Do Not Flush” labeling only on non-flushable wipes — which are made to be durable and do not break down in pipes. The law does not apply to flushable wipes, which are made with plant-based fibers and undergo rigorous testing to ensure proper disintegration in wastewater systems.

Maintaining Water Systems: A Shared Responsibility

Product labeling is one important step in protecting our infrastructure, but it is not a cure-all. We must also increase awareness.

“I hope more people can come to understand that infrastructure is owned by everybody, and its protection is everybody’s responsibility,” Vosburg said, noting the financial burden placed on communities through increased utility rates and taxes to repair damaged infrastructure. Vosburg also touched on the unique perspective of Michigan residents, surrounded by abundant freshwater resources. “Here in Michigan, we’re surrounded by water. I think this plays into a perception of clean water as an infinite resource—but it’s not,” she said. “We must take care of this important resource, and wastewater infrastructure is a key piece of that.”

Vosburg’s final message is simple yet powerful: “Your toilet is not a trash can.” By understanding the importance of responsible flushing and choosing to dispose of non-flushable items properly, each of us can contribute to protecting vital water resources and the infrastructure that safeguards them.