Anglian Water reports that its Cliff Quay water recycling centre in Ipswich removed 91 tonnes of improperly disposed items from sewers last year, equivalent to nearly one blue whale in weight.
The big picture: In 2023, Anglian Water filtered out 2,800 tonnes of unflushable items in the East of England and 91 tonnes in Ipswich.
Why it matters: Improper disposal of items like wet wipes and sanitary products is clogging Ipswich's sewers, potentially leading to:
Reduced sewer capacity during rainy periods
Higher risk of flooding and pollution
Increased costs and time spent on preventable blockages
By the numbers:
80% of blockages cleared by Anglian Water are avoidable
13,565 blockages caused by wrongly flushed items cleared so far this year
28 blue whales - the equivalent weight of unflushables removed across the region
What they're saying: Regan Harris from Anglian Water said: "We work in one of the flattest regions in the country which is most vulnerable to climate change and extreme weather. We clear tens of thousands of blockages a year, 80 per cent of which are completely avoidable."
Harris added: "As we head into another potentially wet winter, there's something simple we can all do at home to make a huge difference - bin it, don't flush it. And remember, only three P's should go down the toilet – pee, poo and (toilet) paper."
What to watch: The annual 'Unblocktober' awareness campaign, supported by Anglian Water since 2019, aims to educate the public on proper drain and sewer use to prevent blockages and reduce plastic pollution.
The bottom line: Ipswich residents can help prevent sewer blockages and potential flooding by properly disposing of unflushable items in bins rather than toilets.
