Keep our pipes happy!
What belongs in the toilet and what doesn't?
Do you ever think about where your waste goes once you flush the toilet?
The network of pipes under our house is designed to carry toilet paper, pee, and poo — and nothing else! But often items like baby wipes, cotton buds, paper towels, tissues, and sanitary products get flushed, causing serious damage to wastewater systems.
Why is toilet paper OK while other items aren't?
Toilet paper is specially designed to break down quickly in water, making it safe to flush. Items that may look similar even if labelled “flushable”, like wet wipes, paper towels, or cotton buds — are often made with non-biodegradable fibers that don't break down. That's why flushing them can cause blockages to pipes, damage pumps and harm the environment.
What happens next?
Once down the drain, these items clump together and cause serious blockages. This can force waste back up into our pipes, flooding homes and gardens. Even products labelled as “flushable” often contribute to these massive pipe monsters!
Wet wipes clog sewer pipes
Whether used for baby clean ups and nappy changes, cleaning floors, wiping toilet seats or cleaning hands, the super convenient products known as 'wet wipes' are now ubiquitous in our lives. Unfortunately, despite manufacturer's claims, no one has yet produced a wet wipe that completely disintegrates within a few minutes like toilet paper does. This is creating enormous headaches around the world and here in Southern Downs region, for both household and Council's wastewater system - clogging sewer pipes, jamming machinery and thereby causing huge economical loss and environmental harm.
The tip of the fatberg
When wet wipes don't biodegrade and meet up with the solidified household fats that are poured down the kitchen sink, a sewage blockage known as a 'fatberg' is created in sewer pipes. Repairs to household plumbing due to fatberg impacts can cost thousands of dollars.
Once a fatberg reaches a sewage treatment plant, it jams up against pumps and damages equipment, causing costly shutdowns for repairs.
Say no to fatbergs. Let any household fats that remain after cooking cool down and solidify, then dispose of them in your general waste bin.
What can you flush?
âś… Toilet paper
âś… Human waste (pee and poo)
What not to flush
❌ Baby wipes & wet wipes (even ‘flushable’ ones)
❌ Paper towels & tissues
❌ Cotton buds & swabs
❌ Sanitary products (pads, tampons)
❌ Nappies
❌ Dental floss
❌ Hair
❌ Medications
❌ Grease, fats, and oils
❌ Cigarette butts
❌ Toys or plastic items
Why it matters
- Prevents costly blockages and plumbing repairs
- Protects our environment and waterways
- Keeps wastewater treatment plants working efficiently
Healthy habits
- Use a bin for items that shouldn’t be flushed – anything that isn’t toilet paper or human waste
- Dispose of medications properly
- Avoid pouring grease down the drain
- Share this info with family & friends!
Flush smart. Keep pipes happy. Save money and the environment!