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Because no one wants a nasty overflow
We remove hundreds of tonnes of unwanted bathroom products and kitchen waste from waterways and our wastewater system each year, at huge cost to customers and the environment. This is due to the wrong things ending up down household drains and blocking pipes. We’re all connected, so what you put down the drain can make a big difference.
It's best to bin it
While the actions you take in your own household might seem small, you’re one of nearly 5 million people contributing to Sydney’s wastewater every day. We’re all connected, so what you do can make a big difference.
The 2 main causes of blocked pipes are:
- flushing wet wipes, cotton buds, sanitary products and other rubbish down the toilet
- putting cooking fats, oils, grease and food scraps down the sink.
In the bathroom
The only things you should flush are the 3 Ps – pee, poo and paper (*). For everything else? It's best to bin it.
Wet wipes create up to 75% of all blockages.
When household waste gets flushed down the toilet, it creates a clump that eventually blocks drains and clogs wastewater pipes.
* Watch this space for details of the new flushable standard.
What you do in your bathroom and kitchen impacts our environment.
Avoid a bad flush. Keep a bin in your bathroom for:
- wet wipes
- cotton buds
- other sanitary items
- cleaning cloths
- tissues
- dental floss
- any other rubbish.
Avoid a bad flush. Keep a bin in your bathroom for the Unflushables: wet wipes, cotton buds, tissues and other sanitary items.
In the kitchen
The only things you should put down your sink are the Sinkables: water and soap.
Fats, oils and grease should never go down the drain ... don't even sink about it! When oil and grease hit the cool water in your wastewater pipes, they harden. They then combine with other waste like wet wipes to form a hard blockage known as a 'fatberg'.
These blockages can cause overflows which can be a health and environmental nightmare, with wastewater backing up and overflowing into homes, backyards and local waterways. What’s more, you could be looking at an expensive plumbing bill to fix a blocked drain.
Coffee grounds, oils, grease and food scraps should never go down the drain ... don't even sink about it!
Avoid the unsinkables:
- Scrape food leftovers into the bin or compost.
- Wipe greasy pans and dishes with a paper towel before washing up.
- Pour used oil or fatty liquids (like old milk) into a container and put it in the bin.
- Use a sink strainer to catch small pieces of food.
If you follow these simple steps, you’ll help protect both your pipes and the environment from nasty blockages, plus save money on plumbing costs.
What you can do
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