Wastewater overflows are caused by:
- Blockages caused by foreign objectives within the network or at pumping stations either in wet or dry weather
- Inadequate capacity within the network, relative to the flow being transported – this is normally an issue in wet weather
- Failure of key equipment (e.g. pumping stations) or power at key installations (e.g. pumping stations)
The effects or consequences of wastewater overflows are that:
- They result in the pollution of waterway (streams, rivers and harbour)
- Give rise to public health issues, if next to people or where they swim,
- They cause a loss of utility for sanitary services for customers
Whilst the Council interventions will unboubtably lead to positive results, the community’s support and action will improve these results and for that reason the districts communities are being asked to do that bit through a public education programme.
As part of this public education work, material will be distributed to all public toilets in the district and all households will receive information letting them know what should and shouldn’t be put down the loo and kitchen sink. Council will have a presence at public events such as market days where we will share the message. Accommodation providers, real estate agents and plumbers will have access to information to circulate to their customers.
The wastewater education programme will then look to be embedded in schools around the district.
What we know so far
We know that people are putting non-flushable items such as rags, wet wipes, nappies and undies down the loo and fats, oil and grease down the kitchen sink. This in turn blocks the wastewater system and is the main cause of wastewater overflows (81 per cent in 2014-16) in our district. The remainder of overflows are due to network issues.
So we’re undertaking, among other things, a district-wide public education programme to alert the district to this problem.
Blocking materials
We find all sorts of blocking materials in our wastewater network. Some examples include:
- Baby wipes
- Band aids
- Cigarette butts
- Cleaning wipes
- Clothes
- Condoms
- Cotton buds
- Cotton wool
- Dental floss
- Face masks
- Facial wipes
- Bottom wipes
- Fat, oil, grease
- Food
- Fruit labels
- Goldfish
- Hair
- Kitty litter
- Nappies
- Nappy liners
- Rags
- Sanitary pads
- Socks
- Tampon applicators
- Tampons
- Tissues
- Toilet roll tubes
- Wet wipes