Gippsland › Latest news › Gippsland Water

Gippsland Water urges residents to not flushing wipes, tissues and paper towelling as blockages in sewer pipes increase

Gippsland Water urges residents to avoid flushing wipes, tissues, and paper towels, as blockages in sewer pipes increase. Managing director Sarah Cumming warns of costly consequences and environmental risks.

By news@gippsland - 29th January 2024 - Back to News

Gippsland Water is reminding customers to be careful about flushing toilets and pouring down sinks. The message follows a recent influx in clogged pipes and sewer infrastructure. Managing director Sarah Cumming said the blockages were caused by a combination of foreign materials and fats entering the sewer network. "Items like wipes, tissues and paper towels should never be flushed," Ms Cumming said.

Items entering kitchen, laundry, and bathroom sinks or flushed down toilets reach the sewerage system. Preserve pipe flow and the environment by correctly disposing of inappropriate items

Sewer care advisory

Ms Cumming also cautioned against tipping food scraps, fat and oil down sinks and toilets. "Anything other than toilet paper can block household pipes and the sewer system - toilet paper is the only material that breaks down. Fats and oils can bind with foreign materials like wipes, sometimes resulting in large sewer blockages commonly known as fatbergs. It's important to know that these sorts of blockages can have serious consequences for customers, including spills on private property."

Ms Cumming said Gippsland Water spends around $200,000 each year fixing blocked sewer pipes. "It can take several hours or days to dislodge blockages or clean up spills, which can also impact local waterways and pose risk to the wider community. We would much rather be using those funds to upgrade assets and provide services to the community and our customers. Read more information about what you can and can't flush as care to the sewerage system.

Pictures from Gippsland Water website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com