Prevent blockages

Think before you flush the loo

Change what you flush down the toilet and keep your drains and pipes clear of blockages.

What to flush

The three Ps - pee, poo and paper.

What to bin

Anything else. This includes medicine, wipes, sanitary products, nappies, cotton pads and buds.

Who this helps

Your plumbing and drains, public sewers, wildlife, our rivers and beaches.

We support An Taisce’s Think Before You Flush campaign to help protect our marine environment and coastlines from sewage related litter.

Think before you pour

Pouring liquid fat, oil or grease down the kitchen drain may seem harmless. That's until they cool and solidify inside your pipes causing smells and blockages! A significant amount of all sewer flooding is caused by the build up of fat, oil and grease in pipes.

What to pour

Water

What to bin

Any excess or left over fat and grease from food preparation or cooking. Here are some ways to get this into your bin.

• Let it cool first then scrape it into the bin
• Pour it into a non-recyclable container and throw it in the bin
• Wipe it with kitchen paper and throw it in the bin
• Reuse cooking oil by letting it cool and then pouring it into a glass container for storage
• Even better, if you have a brown compost bin put the fats and grease in there!

Who this helps

• Your plumbing and drains, public sewers, and our sewer cleaning and maintenance team.

Drains

Never pour motor oil, paint or other waste down your drains. This is because many drains flow into rivers and coastal waters. Dispose of these items as instructed on the container, or by contacting your local recycling centre.

Who is responsible for wastewater issues?

• Irish Water has sole responsibility for the cleaning and maintenance of the public sewer network
• Householders / property owners are responsible for their internal plumbing and the private side pipework leading up to the sewer mains
• If you are connected to a septic tank or a private waste water system we cannot assist you