There were some spooky goings-on at St Patrick’s Primary School in Newry when NI Water’s Wipezilla dropped in to warn pupils about the grim horrors that can lurk beneath our streets this Halloween.
Joined by petrifying pipes and terrifying toilet blockages, the sewer monster showed pupils how flushing wet wipes and other unsuitable items can create a real-life nightmare – causing blocked sewers, flooding and pollution-loving ‘demogorgons’.
The visit followed an out-of-sewer flooding incident at Second Avenue in the city, when NI Water crews had to clear a blockage caused by inappropriate items being flushed into the network. NI Water education officer Pat McCauley and NI Water wastewater customer field manager Daniel Toal were invited to the school by Councillor Aidan Mathers, a member of its board of governors.
During the visit, pupils saw a ‘demon’ demonstration blocked toilet and discovered the ‘Gremlin’ consequences of flushing the wrong things. They learned that wicked wet wipes and scary sanitary waste do not break down like toilet paper and can build up in the sewer network, leading to blockages, sewer flooding, pollution and ‘stranger things in the upsidedown’.
Pat and Daniel explained that avoiding a plumbing horror story is simple: only flush the ‘3 Ps’ – pee, poo and paper – and put everything else in the bin. The session also highlighted NI Water’s ‘Bin It’ campaign, which names the items that should never be flushed, including wet wipes and sanitary waste.
NI Water wastewater customer field manager Daniel Toal said: “Halloween is a time for scary stories, but sewer flooding is one horror no family or community should have to face. Many blockages are caused by wipes and other unsuitable items being flushed down the toilet, so it is important to remember the 3 Ps – pee, poo and paper – and put everything else in the bin.
“It was fang-tastic to meet the pupils at St Patrick’s Primary School and see how keen they are to help protect the sewer network and their local environment. By binning wipes and sanitary waste, everyone can help keep frightening blockages at bay.”
For more information on how to keep sewer nightmares away, visit www.niwater.com/bag-it-and-bin-it/. You can also see the frightening damage that fats, oils and grease (FOG) can cause to sewers at www.niwater.com/FOG.
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