Beware the rag monsters and fatbergs!

Whenever you flush a toilet, have a shower, or drain a sink, you’re creating wastewater that flows through your pipes and into our wastewater network. 

Flushing or putting things down the drain you’re not supposed to causes blockages in your plumbing and Wellington’s wastewater network system that take time and ratepayer money to repair.

‘Rag monsters’ are clumps of wet wipes, tampons, sanitary pads, nappies, cloth, hair, and other non-biodegradable things that have been flushed down the toilet when they’re not supposed to be. 

If they block or damage the pipes on your property, they can cost a lot to repair. If they manage to make it all the way to the wastewater treatment plant, they block the screens at the wastewater plant, which may have to be cleared by hand.

To avoid these ragmonsters, be sure to put all unflushable items into your rubbish bin, and only flush toilet paper and human waste. 

‘Fatbergs’ are made up of congealed cooking oils, food waste, and other solids that have been tipped down the pipes instead of disposed of properly. These fatbergs cause major blockage issues in our wastewater systems.

Fatbergs can be easily avoided. Don’t pour fats and oils down your sink. Instead, clean your pan with a paper towel, or let oil cool before putting it in the bin. Oil can also be stored in a refrigerated jar to reuse another day!

This goes for outside oils too, making sure you don’t pour motor oil, fuels, solvents, or highly toxic substances into outside gully trap – dispose of these items safely.

Other ways to protect your pipes include composting your coffee grounds and food waste instead of tipping them down the sink, and making sure you check where the pipes on your property are before digging any holes or planting trees. 

For more information on looking after our wastewater system, visit the Wellington Water Website.