Business owners and householders in Buncrana have received information and resources to help combat sewage related litter and wastewater blockages.
The ‘Think Before You Flush’ campaign addresses the issue of flushing unsuitable items down the toilet.
It also highlights the consequences of doing so, such as blockages in our wastewater network and treatment plants, surface water overflows and sewage related litter impacting rivers, beaches, oceans and damaging our marine environment.
Many toiletries, such as wipes, cotton pads and dental floss, are part of the ‘Dirty Dozen’, which are the top 12 items that are incorrectly flushed down the toilet in Ireland.
Other items include hair, paper towels, medicine, tampons, food items, contact lenses, condoms, cigarette butts and cotton bud sticks.
This summer, the ‘Think Before You Flush’ campaign has rolled out an education and awareness campaign in Buncrana to highlight the need for locals and visitors to maintain proper flushing and pouring behaviour in the area.
Nationally in 2021, Irish Water responded to approximately 10,000 customer notified blockages (approximately 200 every week) and removed 162 tonnes of wipes and other items from the screens at wastewater treatment plants every month – that’s close to 2,000 tonnes per year.
Speaking about the education and awareness drive being undertaken in Buncrana, Tom Cuddy from Irish Water said: “Our operational staff in Buncrana have started to experience a significant strain on the wastewater infrastructure due to large volumes of fats oils and greases, wipes and associated sanitary waste being disposed of incorrectly into our network.
“We are asking everyone living and visiting Buncrana to be very conscious of the impact their flushing and pouring behaviour can have on their local wastewater networks and treatment plants and would ask that they dispose of FOGs and other products such as wipes and sanitary waste correctly. ”
As part of the campaign in Buncrana, the ‘Think Before You Flush’ campaign are offering:
- A range information resources including posters, information leaflets, and infographics that can be displayed in homes, businesses, clubs or community spaces.
- Awareness events such as school days, business days, and community events. Clean Coast are asking the public in Buncrana, to get in touch about organising an awareness event or with your ideas on how to raise awareness.
Join the campaign at https://thinkbeforeyouflush.
