Flushing of non-degrading waste can lead to costly blockages in wastewater treatment systems. This study investigated Eau Claire County residents’ perspectives on and habits of flushing non-degrading waste. To test our hypothesis that residents with on-site septic systems are more aware of proper flushing habits than residents whose sewage flows to the municipal wastewater treatment plant, we distributed 444 surveys in neighborhoods that were on the municipal system and others with an on-site septic system. We received 43 responses from septic and municipal residences, with response rates of 28% and 15%, respectively. Municipal residents were more likely to identify that non-flushable wipes and feminine hygiene products should not be flushed (by 19% and 9%, respectively) and they reported experiencing clogs at a significantly lower rate (-33%). We contacted three local septic service companies who all stated most septic system blockages are caused by non-woven wet wipes with some blockages caused by feminine hygiene products. These insights, combined with survey results, suggest that septic system residents are more invested in what gets flushed than municipal residents, but are less aware of proper flushing habits. This study will be used to develop an outreach program on the importance of proper flushing habits.
