The three P’s – paper, poo and pee – are all that should be flushed down the loo.
Western Water has issued a warning to Melton and Moorabool families after plumbers reported an increasing number of sewer blockages caused by so-called “flushable wipes”.
Bacchus Marsh-based plumber Rowan Fitzgerald said 80 per cent of blockages were caused by wipes being disposed of incorrectly.
Mr Fitzgerald said that while childcare centres and sports centres were most at risk, he was seeing the problems at homes.
“The trouble is the wipes stick in the drain,” he said.
“They don’t flow down and they’ll stick on anything.”
Western Water chief executive Graham Holt said rags, sanitary products, nappies and cotton buds flushed down toilets, and oils and fats poured down sinks, were causing plumbers headaches.
Mr Holt said that while the sewer mains were regularly inspected and monitored, he urged everyone to heed the three-P message.
“Our job is made a lot easier if people don’t flush these things into the system in the first place,” Mr Holt said.
