Everything that goes down you kitchen, bathroom and laundry sinks and the toilet is considered sewage and ends up at one of our wastewater treatment plants.
Treatment of wastewater is a complex and costly process and can be challenging due to the changing conditions and the varying volumes of water that comes through the plant. Wastewater is treated to achieve two key goals – to protect the health of the public and to protect the environment.
The wastewater facility takes water, mucky and brown and full of all kinds of pathogens and contaminants, and turns it into clean, clear water. Using carefully balance biological processes these pathogens and contaminants are broken down and converted into elements safe for the environment and humans.
Keeping the balance
The biological process is highly automated and monitored by skilled plant operators who seek to create and maintain optimal conditions for these processes to take place.
There are several things that can make the treatment of our wastewater more challenging These include:
- Infiltration of stormwater into the sewerage pipes and treatment plants
- Non-organic matter flushed or washed into the system
- Fats, oils and chemicals poured down sinks and drains
What can we do to help keep the flow?
Wastewater treatment is an essential service that often goes unnoticed. Behind the scenes, skilled operators and advanced systems work every day to clean water, protect waterways, and support sustainable water use across our community.
There are several ways we can help protect our pipes and support the important work being done by our wastewater operators.
Non-organic Matter
Stick to the three P’s. By flushing only the 3 Ps: pee, poo and (toilet) paper, we reduce the chance of blockages in our pipes and in the pumps used to move wastewater through the system.
Everything else- wipes (even those labelled “flushable, biodegradable, compostable, etc”), tissues, nappies, sanitary products, dental floss, paper towels and clothing belongs in the bin.
Making the effort to bin these items and not flush them, helps keep sewerage networks flowing and prevents avoidable problems.
Fats, Oils and Chemicals
Fats, oils and greases can solidify in your pipes, forming thick greasy films with an unpleasant odour. This can damage the pipes within your property and be costly to repair.
When these products enter the wastewater treatment facility can they cause issues with the biological processes taking place. Instead of pouring down the sink;
- Wipe out oily pots, pans & BBQ grills with paper towel, dispose of in the red bin.
- Let oils and fats cool and solidify then scrape into the green bin.
- Household quantities of oil can be dropped off for free at a waste transfer station
Chemicals commonly used around the home and in the garden as well as paints and pesticides can corrode your pipes and are harmful to the environment.
To help identify the chemicals, store household quantities(<20L) of paint, chemicals and hazardous waste in original containers with labels intact.
Dispose of household quantities of these products safely at Hazardous Chemical Cleanout events. Household quantities of paints and motor oil can be dropped off for free at a waste transfer facility any time.
Pharmaceutical products
Medicines, razor blades, cotton tips, syringes and other nonbiodegradable products should not be disposed of down the toilet or sink. They can be dangerous and can block pumping equipment, causing system failure and disrupting services. To dispose of them safely:
- Medicines should be taken to you chemist for safe disposal.
- Syringes should be placed in an appropriate sharps’ container, community sharps bins or taken to your local pharmacy.
See It for Yourself
Keen to know more about our wastewater treatment processes, or explore the Interactive Water Map on ConnectEd PMH which lets you explore Council’s water and wastewater facilities through 360° tours, videos and simple explanations of how the system works.
Prefer to see it in person? Our free Tours & Talks program takes you behind the scenes at local wastewater and recycled water treatment plants. Join us on the next ‘After the Drain’ Community tour.
