Only ones and twos down the loo – that’s the message from Western Water, as new figures show blockages caused by fats and oils, wet wipes and even nappies are costing up to $150,000 a year to clear.
‘‘That’s just across the sewer plants,’’ customer and community relations general manager Graham Holt said.
‘‘In residential areas, that cost increases depending on the time of day for the blockage and extent of damage done to assets and the environment.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcnAyUeis90
VIDEO; NAPPY WIPES PROVE HARD WORK FOR WESTERN WATER WORKERS
‘‘It’s an unnecessary cost but, sadly, it is passed onto all customers.’’
Mr Holt said the incorrect disposal of items that don’t break down like toilet paper could block sewers, pumping stations and filter screen systems at recycling treatment plants.
About 450 sewer blockages have been recorded in Western Water’s service area in the past year.
‘‘Typically, items gather at the sewer pumping stations, get caught in the pumps and cause failures,’’ Mr Holt said.
‘‘In some towns, they get caught up closer to homes, causing blockages.’’
Western Water data shows staff remove close to 1500 kilograms of waste from the Sunbury recycled water treatment plant every week. This waste then has to be sent to landfill.
Dolls, toy guns and even phones are among items pulled out by workers in recent times.
Residential areas of Sunbury and Melton are known trouble spots for fats and oils being flushed down the drain, while adult nappies and wet wipes are the main cause of blockages in other areas.
Wet wipes, traditionally used for cleaning babies, have increased in popularity in recent times and are often marketed as a flushable replacement for toilet paper.
Mr Holt urged people to think before putting waste down toilets or drains.
‘‘Our message is, just because packaging says they can be flushed doesn’t mean they should be.’’
