Keep Wet Wipes Out of Your Pipes
Tell the truth. Have you ever flushed a wet wipe? What about a makeup wipe? If so, you should definitely read this article.
Sydney Water statistics recently revealed 75% of sewer blockages are due to flushed wet wipes. Besides blocking your sewer pipes, the may hurt your hip pocket with the more serious cases costing thousands of dollars to fix. Tax payers around the country are also paying over $15 million per year to clear blocked pipes with Sydney Water footing $8 million of the bill. Flushing wet wipes is actually a double-whammy. Raw stormwater drain and sewerage can backup into domestic pipes and creeks causing significant environmental damage. When wet wipes get into natural waterways they have the potential to upset the delicate ecosystem balance.
That is, sewerage that is usually broken down by millions of bacteria is actually killed by the anti-bacterial properties of wet wipes. Waste is not broken down properly, putting greater strain on public water treatment services. With 25% of all Sydney adults flushing wet wipes, Sydney Water has the unenviable task of getting rid of more than 500 tons of the product each year. Water Services Association of Australia Director, Adam Lovell, states the problem is only becoming worse. “We are unfortunately seeing an increasing frequency of sewage blockages… the problem has really exploded over the past couple of years and it’s costing millions to fix up” Lovell said.
To combat this growing issue, Sydney Water and other organizations are ramping up public awareness campaigns, urging residents to rethink their flushing habits and properly dispose of wet wipes in the bin. While it’s vital to address wet wipes’ impact on sewer systems, education about other household plumbing issues, such as how to unblock drains and a dishwasher easily, is equally important to prevent costly repairs. By adopting responsible waste disposal practices, both individuals and communities can work together to protect the environment and reduce unnecessary expenses. To address this growing problem, Sydney Water is urging residents to dispose of wet wipes in the bin rather than flushing them down the toilet.
Educating the public on how to properly manage household waste can help reduce these costly blockages and environmental damage. For those dealing with minor clogs at home, it might also be helpful to learn how to unblock drains with expert tips and what not to put down your drain, which can prevent the issue from escalating and save both money and time while protecting our waterways. To tackle this growing issue, Sydney Water and other local authorities are urging residents to rethink their flushing habits and dispose of wet wipes responsibly in the bin, not the toilet. Public awareness campaigns and community initiatives aim to educate on the environmental and financial consequences of improper disposal, while promoting smarter habits.
For those already dealing with sewer issues, seeking timely blocked drains solutions Sydney professionals offer can help mitigate costly damages and reduce the strain on public infrastructure. To address this growing issue, Sydney Water and other organizations are ramping up public awareness campaigns about what not to pour down drains and flush down toilets, emphasizing that wet wipes, despite often being labeled as “flushable,” should always be disposed of in the trash. Educating the public is key to reducing the environmental and financial impacts of improper disposal habits. By making small changes in our daily routines, such as avoiding flushing wet wipes, we can help protect our sewer systems, natural waterways, and the environment.
To combat this growing issue, authorities are urging residents to only flush toilet paper and properly dispose of wet wipes in the bin. Ignoring these warnings not only leads to blocked drains Central Coast and beyond, but also contributes to rising utility costs and environmental harm. By making small changes in disposal habits, individuals can play a crucial role in protecting infrastructure, ecosystems, and their own wallets from the costly consequences of sewer blockages.
A Case of Misleading Advertising
There is a lot of misleading marketing surrounding wet wipes with some manufacturers even going as far as saying their products are “flushable”. However, just because something is “flushable”, doesn’t mean it should be put down the toilet. For example, your mobile phone is flushable but it’s probably not a good idea to flush it. According to Sydney Water, the city’s residents are twice as likely to flush a wet wipe if they think it will decompose naturally. However, when some wet wipes are incorrectly advertised as biodegradable, this magnifies the problem. On the brighter side, a Sydney Water public education program has achieved significant success by increasing awareness of the problem.
The “Keep Wipes Out of the Pipes” campaign resulted in more than halving the number of Sydney residents who think it’s alright to flush wet wipes. However, water corporations around the country still have an uphill battle against companies continuing to market their product as “flushable”. Consumer group Choice recently tested how long it took 12 leading brands of wipes to breakdown with the results not being all together surprising. After a full 6 hours not one of the wipes had broken up meaning they all could all cause blockages.
This highlights the significant impact of misinformation and the importance of responsible consumer choices. Beyond spreading awareness, individuals can take proactive steps to prevent plumbing issues such as clogged bath and kitchen sink by avoiding the disposal of non-degradable items in their toilets and utilizing natural methods for unclogging a bath or other drains when necessary. As the fight against misleading advertising continues, it becomes increasingly crucial for both consumers and corporations to prioritize environmentally friendly and sustainable practices. These blockages, often referred to as “fatbergs,” are costly and time-consuming for water utilities to remove, leading to higher maintenance expenses that are ultimately passed on to consumers.
The effects of flushable wipes on sewers extend beyond financial costs, as they can also contribute to environmental pollution when sewage overflows occur. Despite growing awareness, it’s clear that more stringent regulations and honest labeling practices are needed to address the root cause of this issue.
Only the “Three P’s”
Wet wipes are the most common cause of pipe blockages and cause untold environmental damage. Silverwater Plumbing regularly unblocks pipes full of wet wipes. If you have been putting wet wipes down the toilet, please contact us for an inspection as soon as possible to avoid costly repairs in the future. However, the best solution is always prevention.
Remember, only three things should get flushed:
“Paper, Pee & Poo”
