March 23, 2020
Some social media suggestions during this time of toilet paper shortages have our local councils worried.
No, gum leaves are not a reasonable alternative!
More seriously, neither are wet wipes which can seriously damage sewerage infrastructure.
A Gympie Regional Council spokesperson has reminded residents the only things that can be flushed are the “three Ps” … pee, poo and paper.
“Anything else puts a strain on our infrastructure and can lead to blockages. Help keep the community and our pipes healthy by flushing responsibly,” the spokesperson said.
South Burnett Regional Council is also asking residents to think before you flush.
“With recent toilet paper shortages, Council is seeing the use of wet wipes and tissues,” a spokesperson said.
“Wet wipes are the main contributor to sewerage blockages.
“No form of wet wipe should be flushed, including baby wipes, facial wipes and cleaning wipes. Even if the packaging states the wipes are flushable, they do not break down in our sewerage system.
Unflushable items cause major blockages in our sewerage system and jam pumps when they get caught in our equipment at the sewage pump stations.”
The SBRC said the following items should be placed in the wheelie bin: Wet wipes, tissues, cotton buds, sanitary items, nappies, medication and needles.
