Don’t treat your toilet like a rubbish bin, Barwon Water urges

BARWON Water is running a campaign called Don’t Flush It! that urges customers to not treat their toilet like a rubbish bin and to only flush the ‘three Ps’ (pee, poo and toilet paper).

The water authority’s managing director Tracey Slatter said Barwon Water often found items such as wet wipes, cotton buds, fruit stickers and oils and fats that are flushed down the toilet or that go down the kitchen, laundry or bathroom sink ending up in the sewerage system, where they could cause sewer blockages.

“This is a really serious issue as these blockages can lead to raw sewage spilling out into streets or creeks, or even people’s properties.

“Not only do blockages wreak havoc with Barwon Water’s sewerage systems, residents and businesses are often left with expensive plumbing and repair bills.”

She said that Barwon Water removed about seven tonnes of rubbish from its largest water reclamation plant at Black Rock every week and disposed of it to landfill.

“People can help to keep the sewerage system and environment clean by putting a rubbish bin next to the toilet and talking to their families about what can and cannot be flushed.”

The top 10 worst offenders flushed down the toilet, according to Barwon Water:

• Wet wipes
• Cotton buds
• Fabric
• Plastic
• Fats, grease and oils
• Food scraps
• Nappies and nappy liners
• Condoms
• Sanitary products
• Children’s toys.

For more information, head to barwonwater.vic.gov.au/water-and-waste/sewage/dont-flush-it.