Sewer blockages rise

14 Apr 2020

Barwon Water is urging customers to take seriously the message to only flush toilet paper.

Barwon Water has recorded a 50 per cent increase in sewer blockages at the house connection within the past five weeks compared with this time last year and is urging customers to take seriously the message to only flush toilet paper.

Barwon Water Managing Director Tracey Slatter appealed to the community to heed the clear guidance Barwon Water had circulated to the public that only toilet paper was to be flushed down the toilet.

“Toilets and drains are not rubbish bins and are not designed to handle anything that doesn’t break down in the sewerage system like toilet paper,” she said.

“When people flush things like wet wipes, tissues, paper towel, let alone other rubbish and scraps, it causes blockages that can lead to sewage spilling into streets and people’s properties.

“These blockages are expensive and time consuming to fix and at a time when everyone is very focused on hygiene and public health, it is critical that people follow the rules and flush only toilet paper.”

Ms Slatter said Barwon Water’s employees’ time and its customers’ money could be better spent elsewhere as everyone works hard to maintain the essential water and sewerage services in a time of crisis.

“The message is clear. If it isn’t toilet paper, it goes in the bin. Set one up next to your toilet if you need to.”