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Tweed Shire Council is urging residents to rethink what they flush down the toilet and pour down the drain, after revealing that crews remove around 156 tonnes of rubbish and gunk from the wastewater network every year.
Acting Manager Water and Wastewater – Business and Assets, Elizabeth Seidl, reminded residents only to flush the 3Ps – pee, poo and (toilet) paper.
"We're removing roughly 3 tonnes of rubbish and gunk every single week from the sewerage network," Ms Seidl said.
"This is material that shouldn't be in our sewers at all. If it isn't one of the 3Ps (pee, poo or toilet paper), it won't break down in water. "
"This can clog your home's plumbing and turn into a sticky mess in the Tweed's sewerage systems, which can lead to sewage overflows and sometimes end up costing the whole community in repairs."
Ms Seidl said when it comes to kitchens and laundries, it's important also to avoid tipping fats, oils or grease down the sink.
"Oil, grease and fats belong in the bin; not down the sink," she said.
"In the sewerage system, these can solidify and form large "fatbergs" – a major cause of pipe blockages and pump failures at our wastewater treatment plants.
"It's also important to remember food scraps go in your green lid bin, where they can be composted, and medicines or household chemicals should never be poured into drains."
Council is reminding residents never to flush:
- wipes of any kind (including those labelled "flushable")
- tissues or paper towels
- cotton buds or dental floss
- nappies, condoms, tampons or pads
- rubbish.
Never pour down the sink:
- oil
- grease
- chemicals
- medicines.
Residents can find more information about what's safe to flush and pour down the drain at: tweed.nsw.gov.au/only-flush-the-3ps
