GRANTS PASS – A new Oregon law will result in financial savings for the City of Grants Pass and municipalities across the state. House Bill 2344, approved by lawmakers and signed this week by Governor Kate Brown will require “Do Not Flush” labels on all disposable wipes sold in the state.
Grants Pass is just one of many cities in Oregon and across the country that has suffered costly repairs and committed untold labor hours as a result of so-called “flushable wipes” clogging wastewater collection systems. This past year, the ongoing problem worsened due to pandemic conditions which saw an increase in the public’s use of disposable wipes.
The new law will take effect in July of 2022, giving manufacturers and retailers time to properly prepare for the new labelling requirement. Once in effect, the new measure calls upon local governments to first issue a written warning to retailers if they sell the wipes without the new label followed by series of potential fines of up to $10,000.
Grants Pass city officials remind residents to do their part as well in preventing the costly clogs that result from flushing improper materials into the wastewater system. City employees regularly find wipes, diapers, sanitary napkins, and other inappropriate items in wastewater pipes, pumps, and water restoration plant filters and equipment.
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