What not to flush or put down your pipes and why it matters?
What not to flush or put down your pipes and why it matters?
What items should not be flushed down the toilet?
The only things safe to flush are:
- Pee, poo, and toilet paper (the three Ps).
- Products with proof they’ve passed the Australian and New Zealand Flushable Products Standard, AS/NZS 5328:2022.
Items you shouldn’t flush include:
- Wet wipes (that don’t meet AS/NZS 5328:2022).
- Baby wipes.
- Tissues.
- Condoms.
- Tampons, pads, and other hygiene products.
- Hair and nail clippings.
- Pet poo
These items don't break down in water and often cause blockages in home plumbing and sewer systems, leading to costly repairs and environmental damage.
What shouldn’t go down your sink or drains?
- Cooking oils, fats, and greases.
- Coffee grounds and tea leaves.
- Food scraps like pasta, cereal, and eggshells.
Instead, dispose of:
- Small amounts of oil by soaking with paper towels and placing them in the compost or general waste bin.
- Larger amounts of oil put in a plastic container or jar with a lid and then in the general waste bin.
These substances can harden in pipes, creating blockages by binding with other waste products like wet wipes, and causing sewer overflows.
Why is it important to follow these guidelines?
- Prevent Blockages: Non-flushable items and oils congeal in pipes, leading to costly blockages inside homes and public sewer systems.
- Environmental Protection: Blockages and overflows can contaminate local water bodies, harming wildlife and the environment.
- Limit Sewer Overflows: Keeping pipes clear reduces the risk of sewage backflows into homes, streets, and yards.
Following proper disposal guidelines helps maintain the health of South Australia’s 9,000 km sewer network and prevents the need for expensive repairs and environmental remediation efforts.
