Protect your plumbing

Because no one should ever see a fatberg

We remove hundreds of tonnes of unwanted bathroom products and kitchen waste from waterways and our wastewater system each year, costing customers and the environment. This is due to the wrong things ending up down household drains and blocking pipes. We’re all connected, so what you put down the drain can make a big difference. 

It's best to bin it

In the bathroom

In the kitchen

It's best to bin it

While the actions you take in your own household might seem small, you’re one of nearly 5 million people contributing to Sydney’s wastewater every day. We’re all connected, so what you do can make a big difference.

The 2 main causes of blocked pipes are:

  • flushing wet wipes, cotton buds, sanitary products and other rubbish down the toilet
  • putting cooking fats, oils, grease and food scraps down the sink.

What you do in your bathroom and kitchen impacts our environment.

In the bathroom

The only things you should flush are the 3 Ps – pee, poo and paper (toilet paper, that is). For everything else ... it's best to bin it.

While some brands of wet wipes might say that they’re flushable (they’re actually not), they make up to 75% of all blockages.

When household waste gets flushed down the toilet, it creates a clump that eventually blocks drains and clogs wastewater pipes. 

 

Avoid a bad flush. Keep a bin in your bathroom for the Unflushables

Avoid a bad flush. Keep a bin in your bathroom for:

  • wet wipes
  • cotton buds
  • sanitary items
  • cleaning cloths
  • tissues
  • dental floss
  • any other rubbish.

In the kitchen

The only things you should put down your sink are the Sinkables: water and soap.

Fats, oils and grease should never go down the drain ... don't even sink about it! When oil and grease hit the cool water in your wastewater pipes, they harden. They then combine with other waste like wet wipes to form a hard blockage known as a 'fatberg'.

These blockages can cause overflows which can be a health and environmental nightmare, with wastewater backing up and overflowing into homes, backyards and local waterways. What’s more, you could be looking at an expensive plumbing bill to fix a blocked drain.

 

Fats, oils and grease should never go down the drain ... don't even sink about it!

In the kitchen, it's best to bin it:

  • Scrape food leftovers into the bin or compost.
  • Wipe greasy pans and dishes with a paper towel before washing up.
  • Pour any used oil or fatty liquids (like old milk) into a container and place it in the bin.
  • Use a sink strainer to catch small pieces of food.

If you follow these simple steps, you’ll help protect both your pipes and the environment from nasty blockages, plus save money on plumbing costs.

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Let's all do our part to keep Sydney's sinks and toilets happy. Check out our fact sheets: