Nappies to blame for blocked sewers

Around 8,000 blockages of builtup fat caused by “unflushable” items going into Kent’s sewers have had to be removed, according to water chiefs.

Southern Water says it has cleared 8,375 blockages in the county during the last year, amounting to 2,652 tonnes of waste weighing more than 209 double decker buses.

A report by Water UK has revealed sewer blockages are often caused by nappies, wipes and sanitary items.

It has led to the launch of a campaign calling on residents to only flush the “Three Ps – pee, poo and paper”.

A video has been released as part of the project, which is also headed up by the Consumer Council for Water. It features characters including Tim the toilet, Steve the pink teddy and Sharon the ‘wash-o-matic’ encouraging people to stop ditching their unflushable items into the sewer.

The short film also features the real stories of people who have had sewage back up into their homes and properties.

Southern Water’s wastewater manager, Tim Bagnall, said: “The campaign helps people understand how to properly dispose of fat, oil, grease and unflushable items like wipes, tampons, nappies and condoms. It also aims to highlight the impact a sewage flood in people’s homes can have and provides advice on how people can stop it happening to them.

“Washing-up liquid and hot water does not completely wash cooking fat from your pipes, and the only things you should flush are the Three Ps – pee, poo and paper.”

Picture: Southern Water The waste material that causes blockages to Southern Water pipes