By MADDY VITALE
In an unprecedented pandemic, thinking about the environment and properly disposing of disinfectant wipes might not top the priority list for most people. Especially in a world that consists of wearing masks and gloves to protect ourselves and others in attempts to lessen the spread of the invisible killer — COVID-19.
But stepping back from the current landscape that is becoming unusually familiar, even for a minute, some people may be surprised that they are harming the environment.
“We are in unchartered territory,” said Sea Isle City Public Information Officer Katherine Custer, adding that people may simply be unaware that what they are doing is wrong.
With calls for people to thoroughly wash their hands, as well as to clean surfaces, homes and even shopping bags and groceries, some cleaning items are being improperly discarded in the toilet.
Sea Isle City officials thought about this real environmental concern, and posted an important message to residents on the city’s website at www.sea-isle-city.nj.us.
The message is clear and direct. It urges people to properly dispose of disinfectant wipes, paper towels, napkins and other products.
“Our water and sewer officials want to remind everyone that even though we are using more disposable, disinfectant wipes, baby wipes, and the like, they are not intended to go down into the sewer system,” Custer emphasized in a phone interview Thursday. “They should be thrown away with other trash and not flushed down the toilet.”
The city’s website states that “paper towels, baby wipes and paper napkins are NOT FLUSHABLE and should be thrown in the trash — not flushed down the toilet. Due to COVID-19, we are all using more disposable cleaning supplies, and we don’t want wipes and other items to clog our sewer system.”
Custer said Don Teefy, assistant superintendent of the city’s Water and Sewer Department, came to her with the idea of putting something out to the public about the city’s concerns.
“I said, ‘Sure, it’s a good idea,’” Custer said. “Don pointed out that with all that is going on, the water and sewer department can be the last thing on people’s minds.”
And while not foremost in some people’s minds in such a scary time, both public and private water and sewer systems are important parts of every household and overtaxing them by discarding trash in the toilets could lead to problems.
“We are all using many more disposable wipes than we have in the past. This is an unprecedented time,” Custer said. “This is not just an issue for Sea Isle City, but every municipality with a water and sewer system. As we noted on our website, it also can negatively impact private septic systems.”
