In a landmark case for the wastewater industry, Kimberly-Clark Corp. recently reached a settlement with a wastewater utility in Charleston, South Carolina, regarding its so-called “flushable” wipes products.

The company agreed in the settlement that any of its products labeled as "flushable" would meet the wastewater industry’s standards by May 2022. The hope is that the recent settlement will spur others in the industry to follow suit, according to Bloomberg News.

In a statement to the news organization, Kimberly-Clark says it “has committed to even further improving the performance” of its flushable wipes as part of the settlement.

St. Louis Makes Progress on Massive Sewer Tunnel

In other news, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch recently reported on the ongoing wastewater tunnel project by the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, sharing photos and videos of the tunnel’s progress.

The $150 million Deer Creek Sanitary Tunnel project is 4.3 miles long, 19 feet in diameter and is slated for completion in late 2022. The tunnel will temporarily hold wastewater during heavy rain events until treatment facilities can handle the volume.

USDA Invests $374 Million Into Rural Water/Wastewater Infrastructure

The United States Department of Agriculture recently invested $487 million in critical infrastructure that will help communities in 45 states.

Part of that investment includes $374 million through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in 31 states.

For example, the city of Dunn, North Carolina, will use a $1.4 million loan and a $1.2 million grant to repair or replace 9,135 feet of sewer collections line, 42 manholes and 134 pipes. These modernizations will stop sewer system overflows, which will lead to cleaner rural water resources in the area and support a healthier environment for nearly 10,000 local residents.