Coliban Water has used World Toilet Day to launch its new Bin it, don’t flush it campaign today to raise community awareness of protecting the sewer network.
Manager Customer Operations Steve Dunlop said Coliban Water spends around $1 million a year cleaning and repairing the region’s sewers.
“The cost to clear our sewer network is a cost to the entire community. It’s easy to think products like wet wipes, paper towel and tissues break down, but they get caught inside pipes and sewer plant equipment and are expensive to remove,” he said.
The focus of the campaign is the concept of the three Ps; only pee, poo and toilet paper should be flushed down the toilet.
“You’d be amazed at what turns up at the treatment plant, everything from bathroom products, toys and clothing. Foreign materials can cause costly and inconvenient blockages within pipes, mains, pump stations and treatment plants.
“Some products may claim to be flushable, but the truth is that they can take years to break down. Toilet paper takes just 30 seconds to break down. Only the three Ps should be flushed, it’s that simple” Mr Dunlop said.
Sanitary items, ear buds, medication and nappies are some of the common items that block the system, as well as cotton balls, razor blades and toothbrushes.
The campaign, which includes a range of videos, posters, social media content and school and community incursions also aims to increase awareness of what to put down sinks and drains.
“Fats, oils, grease and chemicals enter the sewer network and are not only dangerous to the environment, but build up and create massive fatbergs, binding other objects together and blocking the pipes.
“Scrape plates into the bin or compost and use a sink strainer to keep food scraps out of the sewer system. And check with your local council to see how you should dispose of fats and oils,” he said.
Coliban Water runs 14 treatment plants throughout the region and maintains 1,957 kilometres of sewer mains. That’s longer than the distance between Bendigo and the Sunshine Coast.
For more information about protecting the sewer network, visit the Coliban Water website.
Last updated on 19 Nov 2019