Register for another OPW Connects webinar!
Across Canada, municipalities and wastewater utilities are facing persistent operational, financial, and environmental impacts from the improper flushing of wipes and other products that are wrongly marketed as “flushable.” In the absence of a legally recognized Canadian standard, manufacturers can label their products “flushable” without meeting performance criteria that reflect the realities of municipal sewer systems. This presentation highlights the evidence/ scientific research behind the growing need to support a flushable standard in Canada that will harmonize expectations across the country and ultimately protect public infrastructure, public health, and the environment. We will talk about how municipalities can work together to advocate to the CSA for the need for a flushability standard.
Join us to learn more about the science behind flushability and how municipalities can work together to advocate for a Canadian standard.
Barry Orr is an Environmental Science Officer based in Victoria, B.C. , dedicated to protecting public health and ensuring the integrity of local wastewater and sewer systems. With extensive experience in compliance oversight, environmental protection, and wastewater operations, Barry works closely with municipalities, industry partners, and community stakeholders to promote safe, resilient, and sustainable infrastructure.
Barry is widely recognized for his leadership in advancing evidence‑based practices across the water and wastewater sector. Barry has played a prominent role in regional, national, and international initiatives around flushability. As spokesperson for the Municipal Enforcement Sewer Use Group (MESUG), he has championed the message that “toilets are not garbage cans,” shaping public education campaigns across Canada.