The ‘unflushables’ is money down the drain, says Goulburn Valley Water

GVW water and sewer staff have removed wet wipes, tissues, paper towels, and other everyday items from the sewer network.

But the pick of the litter was the discovery of several phones, a snake, numerous coins, and even a pedestal fan found in a manhole.

Aside from the financial impact on the business, GVW managing director Dr Steve Capewell said that preventable sewer blockages were diverting staff from their everyday tasks, affecting the delivery of reliable water and wastewater services to customers.

“We need customers’ help to keep our sewers healthy and limit the number of blockages and overflows,” he said.

“A number of overflows occur inside a customer’s property, so you are doing yourself a favour by checking your flushing habits.”

GVW regularly advocates for flushing only the 3Ps – pee, poo, and (toilet) paper – as part of its ‘Don’t Flush It’ campaign, aimed at educating customers about proper disposal practices for toilets and sinks.

Additionally, Standards Australia has defined which products should not be flushed down the toilet and has outlined testing criteria for manufacturers to assess product suitability for flushing.

Despite regular messaging, the problem has escalated to severe levels.

Foreign objects have caused issues transporting sewage from toilets and drains to wastewater management facilities, according to Dr Capewell.

“Not only can blockages be expensive for us, but if it’s in your home, it can also be very costly for you,” he said.

Residents should check for blockages if their household water isn’t draining properly from sinks and toilets.

If the blockage is in the pipes or fittings on the property, the property owner will need to hire a plumber to resolve the issue.

The GV Water team will handle the issue if the blockage is in the company’s sewerage system.

If it is unclear where the blockage is, contact GV Water at any time on 1800 454 500.