Makers of Sanitary Wipes Sued by Minnesota City over Clogged Pipes

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A Minnesota city is suing six makers of sanitary wipes, saying their “so-called flushable wipes” are clogging sewer systems.

According to the Star Tribune, the lawsuit from the city of Wyoming says flushable wipes stay intact long enough to pass into sewer lines and wastewater treatment plants, resulting in thousands or millions of dollars in damage.

Industry representatives have said consumers are flushing wipes that don’t claim to be flushable.

Kimberly-Clark is one company named in the lawsuit. In an email to the newspaper before the lawsuit was filed, the company said it’s invested in developing technologies that deliver wipes that are truly compatible with wastewater systems.

Kimberly-Clark declined comment on the lawsuit. The other companies either didn’t respond to emails or had no immediate comment.