Flushable wipes are a $6-billion industry in North America. Experts predict sales will 30% in five years. Many municipal systems face a challenge.

Wipes are as bad as dumping oil or grease in the sewers, and end up requiring crews to spend hours cleaning clogged pipes.

Manufacturers insist their wipes pass with flying colours, but federal laws don’t require verification.

Local civic officials have been asked about this and say some of the lift stations at lower levels clog up but so far the problem has not risen to a critical level.