Welsh Water is urging people to be careful what they flush down the toilet or wash down the drain as part of a campaign to stop blocked sewers.
The company, headquarted in Nelson, has launched the campaign to try and cut the £7 million annual bill it faces to clear blockages.
Steve Wilson, Welsh Water’s Director of Waste Water Services, said: “Cutlery, giant cuddly toys, cans, bricks, mobile phones, tricycles – it’s surprising what we find in our sewer network. Of course, these unusual examples are quite rare. Most of the 2,000 blockages we deal with every month are caused by everyday items put down the toilet such as wipes, sanitary towels, cotton buds and dental floss as well as fat, oil and grease that people have put down their drains.
“A lot of people aren’t even aware that these items can cause sewer flooding and pollution in their homes and communities. It is actually illegal to throw or empty anything into our network that’s likely to damage a sewer or drain or to interfere with its free flow.
“Anyone who has suffered a flood in their home because of a blocked drain or sewer will know the damage and personal upset that is causes. With the collective support of enough people, we will be able to reduce the blockages, floods and pollution that cause so much distress. Reducing these blockages will also mean that our not-for-profit company will also be able to invest more in other improvements on behalf of our customers.”
The campaign, called ‘Let’s Stop the Block’, will run for 12 months.
Wales’ Minister for Natural Resources and Food, Alun Davies, welcomed the launch of the campaign.
He said: “Flooding from blocked sewers can have a devastating effect on our homes, our streets and the wider environment. Wales is lucky to have some of the best rivers, beaches and coastline in the world and we can all do our bit to stop the block and help reduce this risk of pollution and flooding in our communities.”