New regulations to reduce the not 'flushable' wet wipe problem in our drains

A new national standard regulating what can be classified as ‘flushable' is currently being created in consultation with water utilities, manufacturers, and Standards Australia. These new product labelling guidelines are being put in place to reduce the pressure on sewerage management companies and home drainage systems that non-flushable items labelled as ‘flushable' currently create.

Every year councils across the world are spending many millions of dollars removing items like so-called ‘flushable' wet wipes, nappies, and other items from sewerage systems. These products can accumulate in the sewer drains causing blockages and building up with grease, fat and oil to create giant ‘fatbergs'.

Queensland's Urban Utilities has been removed a whopping 120 tonnes of wet wipes from the drains in the southeast of the state every year. These ongoing blockages are costing the utility company (and eventually the local tax/rate payers) upwards of 1 million dollars to clear out each year.

Covered by the new labelling regulations will be a wide range of disposable products available to Australian consumers such as:

• Toilet wipes
• Baby wipes
• Other wet wipes including make up removal, toilet or kitchen cleaning wipes
• Tampons, pads, & other sanitary items
• Kitty litter
• Paper towel

The new regulations will mean products will have to pass rigorous testing to be able to be labelled as flushable. The testing process will ensure that the product breaks down with the natural movement of the drainage system and doesn't cause environmental issues further along the line.

Currently, the manufacturers are self regulating these products which have meant many items which will never break down in the sewer system are advertised as ok to flush down the toilet. The new regulations will provide consumers with a clear way to identify what is safe to flush and what has the potential to block up their drains.

The Leak Free plumbing team recommend that the safest option for people to take to protect their home drainage system, as well as the mains systems in their local area, is to only flush the 3 Ps - pee, poo, (toilet) paper.

If you need help with blocked drains in the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Logan or Redland areas contact Leak Free Plumbing today.

Reference - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-31/qld-standard-fatbergs-clogging-sewerage-network/100418350