Have you ever heard of a fatberg?
Melbournians are being urged to be mindful of what they flush down the toilet after a 42-tonne fatberg was discovered. This follows a surge in wet wipes, rags, tissues, paper towels and sanitary products being flushed in recent weeks.
The number of wet wipes, rags and other non-flushable products getting stuck in the sewer system is up by 20 to 30 per cent across Yarra Valley Water’s service area in Melbourne’s eastern and northern suburbs.
Wet wipes and other paper products besides toilet paper, don’t disintegrate once flushed and often rope together causing blockages. Fatbergs are created when personal hygiene products like wet wipes, congeal together with fats and oils poured down the drain, causing huge blockages and damage to sewer pipes.
Yarra Valley Water Managing Director, Pat McCafferty said that wet wipes and anything other than toilet paper should not be flushed.
“People often buy wet wipes in good faith thinking that they are flushable as advertised. In fact, they don’t break down in the sewer system and can create expensive plumbing problems for customers sometimes up to $1000.
Wet wipes, tissues, sanitary products and rags should be placed in the bin after use and securely and hygienically tied up and disposed of.
If it isn’t pee, poo or toilet paper, it belongs in the bin.
For more information, take a look at www.yvw.com.au/whatcangodowndrain
