Protect our pipes

Want to know what you shouldn’t flush or pour into our wastewater system? Our wastewater team find lots of strange things in our pipes, causing big problems.

Our toilets are only for the three Ps – paper, pee and poo. Sinks are just for dirty water.

What not to flush

Don’t flush:

Image: cotton buds floating on top of Council's wastewater ponds at Paraparaumu. See larger image [PNG 3.53 MB].

• cotton buds
• wet wipes
• dental floss
• nappies
• other random objects.

Even if the packaging says flushable, these things don’t break down like toilet paper. Put them in the bin instead to keep our pipes clear.

What not to pour down the sink

Never pour fats, oils, or grease down the sink, even with hot water or dishwashing liquid. They can cause blockages, leading to overflows that can damage your property. They can even become “fatbergs” that damage for our water systems.

What to do instead

Instead:

• let the grease cool for a couple of hours
• pour it into a non-breakable container, and seal the lid
• put the sealed container in the rubbish bin.