Don’t Flush – what you should NOT put down your drains

THE FOLLOWING MUST NOT BE DISCHARGED INTO THE DRAINS:

• Cleaning rags and cloths
• Syringes; hypodermic needles
• Wet wipes
• Nappies
• Sanitary items
• Any solid or material items
• Medicines and medical equipment
• Fat, oil and grease

Download our printable “Don’t Flush” document

HOW TO DEAL WITH ‘UNFLUSHABLES’

Medicines and medical equipment

Take unused medicines to a pharmacist for safe disposal.

Fat, oil and grease

These products tend to cool down, separate from water and coagulate within the Pump Station’s chamber. Fats, oils and greases encase the pump and floats, causing blockages and pump failure. They can form large solid blocks and slabs, stopping the Pump Station from operating. Scrape these products into the bin and use strainers/traps in plug holes to prevent them from entering the waterway.

Wet wipes, nappies, sanitary towels, incontinence materials, soft toys, tennis balls, etc.

It may seem a bit obvious to say this but it is amazing what gets flushed down the loo from time to time, causing blockages in the Pump Station.

When so-called disposable nappies and sanitary towels soften, they do not degrade fully. Similarly, fabric cleansing wipes and nappy liners with packaging stating that they are “flushable” should not be flushed into the Pump Station. Unfortunately, what this actually means is that the products will go down the toilet and will later form a mass of stringy ragging that will lead to malfunction and blockages. It is best to dispose of these products by other means.

Pump Stations are designed to take sewage, wastewater and toilet paper only. Anything else will likely lead to blockages and Pump Station malfunction.

Download and distribute the document to your tenants