April 1, 2020
Toowoomba Regional Council is urging the community to only flush toilet paper after a rise in pipe blockages during the past two months
Water and Waste General Manager Damian Platts said the community must stop flushing wipes, nappies and paper towels, even if branded “disposable”.
“The last four months, Council has seen an increase of around 25 per cent in sewer blockages from the previous 12 months with significant increases in February and March,” Mr Platts said.
“Putting the wrong thing down the toilet and sink causes blockages and breakdowns in our wastewater systems. It can lead to unnecessary expense, reduced treatment efficiency and environmental problems.
“Blockages caused by foreign matter, mostly non-flushable wipes are avoidable.
“Flushing the wrong thing down the toilet leads to costly blockages in the network, especially at sewer pump stations and at the wastewater treatment plants.
“Blocked pipes cause pumps to seize, meaning costs are incurred in de-commissioning and then re-commissioning this vital equipment.
“At the treatment plants, it collects on screens and needs to be cleaned manually.
“Blockages in pipes are caused by tree root infiltration and the build-up of fats. Non-disposable wipes compound this problem, increasing the size of the blockage and making removal more difficult.
“The simple solution is to avoid placing these items down the toilet.”
Mr Platts said doing the wrong thing was flushing ratepayer dollars down the toilet.
“There have been 50 additional tasks involving the clearing of blockages in civil infrastructure in February compared to last year, costing an additional $43,559,” Mr Platts said.
“Since December last year to February this year, there have been 168 sewer pipe blockages costing the ratepayer just under $158,000.
“Apart from the cost to ratepayers, there is the potential for environmental damage.”
- Related article: Think Before You Flush
