Disintegration of flushable products in wastewater system

Wet wipes are marketed as "flushable" to be disposed of into sewer systems. Systematic studies that assessed sewer behavior of flushable wipes are limited. Wet wipes and toilet papers are either disposed of into solid waste bins, or flushed from toilets into sewer systems. In sewer environment, wet wipes and toilet papers absorp hydrophobic materials such as oil and grease, or blend with inorganic materials such as sand. As a result, such solids accumulate in time, and cause sewer overflows in parts of sewer system where pipe slope or wastewater flow rate is insufficient. The main objective of this thesis is to investigate physical breakdown of toilet paper and wet wipes through experimental analyses and mathematical modeling. To achieve this goal, a previously developed theoretical approach and its mathematical model that describe the physical breakdown of hygienic products were adapted for this study. In accordance, disintegration of wet wipes and toilet papers were examined through mathmetical modeling studies and experimental testing. The results indicated that flushable wipes disintegrate much more slowly than toilet papers under representative sewer flow conditions. Therefore, technical specifications and regulations for flushable products is needed urgently. Likewise, labeling of wet wipes and education of consumers about disposal of such items into solid waste bins is essential to minimize sewer blockages and overflows. Keywords: Wet Wipes, Wastewater Systems, Physical Disintegration, Modeling