This summer Clean Coasts contributed to a three part webinar series run by Cork County Council aimed at teaching young people in Cork primary schools about water safety and preparing them to enjoy the summer season safely on the beach. In addition to learning about safety the students heard about litter, water quality and the Think Before You Flush campaign. The series was delivered to inspire young people to be safe in and around the water this bathing season and to become responsible beach users going forward.
The Think Before You Flush campaign is a public awareness initiative run by Clean Coasts in partnership with Uisce Éireann. The campaign is in its nineth year focuses on the issue of flushing unsuitable items down the toilet and highlights the consequences of doing so, which include blockages in our homes, wastewater treatment networks and sewage related litter ending up in our waterways and on our coastline. Sewage related litter can impact water quality and the marine life that rely on our waterways for their habitat and nourishment. The campaign’s main message is to only flush the 3Ps and to remember that all other waste belongs in the bin.
During the webinars Clean Coasts also presented the Think Before You Pour campaign which highlights the issue of pouring fats, oils, and greases (FOGs) from cooking down the kitchen sink. FOGs cool and harden after being poured away and when they combine with wet wipes and other sewage related litter, fatbergs can form. Uisce Éireann clears thousands of blockages, including fatbergs, from the wastewater network every year. The Think Before Pour campaign asks everyone to never pour FOGs down the drain but to dispose of them in the bin once cool instead.
Elaine Doyle, Clean Coasts spoke at the webinars said: “Such a great initiative from Cork County Council to talk to a large number of primary aged children about water safety in all water bodies, how to enjoy water and be safe. I was delighted to be able to talk about water quality for us and our wonderful life below water. Thanks to Cork County Council for hosting the series and we hope everyone enjoyed attending them.”
Speaking after the event, Uisce Éireann’s Head of Wastewater Operations, Nuala Woods, said: “Every day people flush thousands of sanitary items such as wet wipes and cotton buds down the toilet instead of simply putting them in the bin. This causes blockages in our network, pumping stations and wastewater treatment plants and can lead to sewage overflows impacting some of our most beautiful coastal and river locations. We clear approximately 10,000 blockages from our wastewater network every year.”
Nuala continued: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Clean Coasts to preserve and protect our environment and shine a light on the link between what you flush down the toilet and can end up at your local river or beach. We hope the pupils in the primary schools across Cork who participated in this great webinar series will continue to Think Before You Flush.”