Blocked drains and pipes

We regularly check and maintain our sewage treatment plants to keep them working well. This includes emptying them and fixing the pumps. But these systems can get clogged when people flush or wash things down the drain that shouldn’t be there.

Here’s a list of things that can block drains and pipes:

Don’t flush:

• Wet wipes
• Cotton balls or buds
• Condoms
• Feminine hygiene products
• Nappies
• Paper towels.

Even if these items say they are flushable or eco-friendly, they don’t dissolve quickly and can block your pipes. It’s better to throw them in the bin.

Don’t wash down the sink:

• Grease, fat, or oils - these can mix with other things in your pipes and create thick clogs. Instead, put leftover grease, fat, or oils in a container and throw it away when it cools and hardens.

• Medicine, chemicals, paint, or garden products (like weedkiller) - these can harm the treatment process at the sewage plant. It’s best to put them in the general waste bin.

These are some common items that cause blockages, but there are lots of other things which can cause problems when flushed or washed away, such as cigarette butts and cat litter.

If we visit your home to clear a blockage and find it was caused by the wrong thing being flushed or washed away, you may have to pay for any work we carry out, so it’s a good idea to follow the tips above to prevent blockages from happening.

If you’re not sure whether to flush or wash something away, look it up online first, or bin it just in case.