Local infrastructure maintenance teams are dealing with an uptick in sewer blockages in the Snowy Monaro, prompting renewed calls for residents to stop flushing wet wipes down their toilets.
The only items that should enter the sewerage system are the essential three Ps – pee, poo and (toilet) paper.
While many wet wipe products carry packaging suggesting they are safe to flush, these items do not disintegrate in the same way as toilet paper. Instead, they accumulate in pipes and combine with other materials to form solid masses known as fatbergs.
These blockages severely impact the local wastewater network, requiring intensive labour and often specialised equipment to remove. The repair and maintenance cost associated with removing these blockages, including replacement of damaged pumping equipment, ultimately falls on local ratepayers.
When fatbergs develop, they can cause sewage systems to back up and overflow. This presents risks to both infrastructure and the environment, potentially allowing untreated waste to contaminate local waterways and natural areas.
Thankfully, the solution is straightforward – all wet wipes, along with other bathroom items such as cotton buds, sanitary products and similar materials, should be placed in household rubbish bins rather than flushed down toilets.
By making this simple change in disposal habits, residents can help protect vital infrastructure, prevent environmental contamination, and avoid unnecessary costs to the community.
Thank you for flushing responsibly.
