NACWA recently joined a coalition of fellow clean water utility associations and nonwoven fabrics industry partners in sending a letter to Senate Commerce Committee leadership in support of S. 3956, the Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety (WIPPES) Act.

If signed into law, the bill would direct the Federal Trade Commission, in consultation with U.S. EPA, to issue regulations requiring wipes manufacturers to include Do Not Flush labeling on non-flushable wet wipes packaging.

With work through this partnership, NACWA continues its long history of advocacy in seeking legislation to help consumers better understand proper disposal methods for these products.

In addition to the WIPPES Act, NACWA is also working to secure passage of the Protecting Infrastructure and Promoting Environmental Stewardship (PIPES) Act (HR 6591), which would require EPA to set flushability standards for flushable wipes.

NACWA members can show support for these bills by using template letters developed by NACWA for the House bills and the Senate bill. A report released by NACWA in 2020, The Cost of Wipes on America’s Clean Water Utilities, provides state-by-state estimates of wipes problems for utilities, which can be used to support the need for legislation.   

Please contact Tony Frye, NACWA’s Director of Legislative Affairs, for more information on how to support these bills.  Other questions about wipes can be directed to Cynthia Finley, NACWA’s Director of Regulatory Affairs.