A friendly reminder to only flush the three Ps

At this peak time of year for visitation to our region, we are reminding customers and visitors that they should only flush the 3Ps – Pee, Poo and Paper.

We often find items such as wet wipes, cotton buds, fruit stickers and oils and fats that are flushed down the toilet or that go down the kitchen, laundry or bathroom sink ending up in our sewerage system causing sewer blockages.

This is a really serious issue as these blockages can lead to raw sewage spilling out into streets or creeks, or even people’s properties.

Not only do blockages wreak havoc with Barwon Water’s sewerage systems, residents and businesses are often left with expensive plumbing and repair bills.

People can help to keep the sewerage system and environment clean by putting a rubbish bin next to the toilet and talking to their families about what can and cannot be flushed.

A new standard

In 2022 Standards Australia released a national standard to make sure wet wipes and other items marketed as “flushable” pass a series of tests and do not contain plastic.

This ensured that they break down in sewers and do not contribute to blockages and overflows.

The standard includes requirements for clear labelling so customers know whether a product is safe for flushing.

If a product is marked with the flushable label, it has passed the criteria to be flushed down the toilet. If a product (other than toilet paper) carries the do-not-flush label – or isn’t labelled at all – please don’t flush it; put it in the bin instead, along with things like paper towel, tissues, napkins, nappies, cotton buds, sanitary items and wipes. They all belong in the bin.

Their inability to break down like toilet paper can cause major sewer blockages and smelly overflows.

For more information, see barwonwater.vic.gov.au/water-and-waste/sewage/dont-flush-it.