Central Coast Council has launched the 'Dunny Do’s and Dunny Don’ts' educational campaign to raise awareness about responsible toilet and sink habits. The initiative highlights the dangers of flushing inappropriate items down the toilet, such as wipes and sanitary products, and the significant impact these actions have on the sewerage system and the environment.  

In addition to promoting proper toilet flushing, the campaign encourages residents to be mindful of what goes down their sinks. Items like food scraps, oils, fats, grease, paints, chemicals, and medications can cause blockages in the sewerage system and negatively impact the process at Sewage Treatment Plants.  

Council is urging residents to take preventive measures by placing wet wipes and sanitary products in the bin, using sink strainers, composting food scraps, and safely disposing of hazardous materials through Chemical Cleanout Events or at the Buttonderry Community Recycling Centre.

The Central Coast’s sewerage network spans more than 2,500 kilometres of pipes, supported by over 320 pumping stations. These facilities are crucial for transporting wastewater to one of the eight sewage treatment plants in the region, where Council treats approximately 87 million litres of sewage daily. However, improper disposal of items like wet wipes, sanitary products, and other non-flushable materials has become a growing concern.

Council Director of Water and Sewer, Danielle Hargreaves, emphasised the importance of the new campaign, which urges the community to flush only human waste and toilet paper, commonly known as the 3Ps (pee, poo, and toilet paper).

“Our sewerage system is designed to handle only the 3Ps. Flushing anything else can lead to blockages, commonly known as fatbergs, which result in costly repairs and increase the risk of sewage overflows into our environment and local waterways,” Ms. Hargreaves said.

“By flushing only the 3Ps, we can help protect our environment and preserve our natural assets.”

Council Administrator, Rik Hart, highlighted the financial impact of these blockages.

“These blockages can result in thousands of dollars in plumbing bills for Council and homeowners. On average, we handle over 600 sewer chokes and failures due to blockages in the system each year, with repairs costing Council around $500,000 annually,” Mr Hart said

“It’s important to discuss with all family members, including children, the impacts of flushing inappropriate items,”

“By making small changes in our daily habits, we can collectively make a big difference in protecting our sewerage system and our environment.”

The campaign will be delivered through educational posters on the back of toilet doors, animated videos, radio ads, and by Council’s Water Education Officers at pop-up events across the Central Coast.

For more information on the ‘Dunny Do’s and Dunny Don’ts’ campaign including downloading your own poster for use by households or businesses, please visit:

 https://lovewater.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/

ENDS