Clean Coasts and regional staff from Uisce Éireann visited Enniscrone in County Sligo for a beach clean with the local community on Friday 26th June.
Clean Coasts Sligo Officer Olivia Jones attended and spoke about their involvement with the Think Before You Flush campaign, alongside Michael Breen of Enniscrone Clean Coasts group and organisers of the event from Uisce Éireann.
The purpose of the event was to bring regional Uisce Éireann staff together to protect their local environment through a beach clean, whilst linking in with the local community and the Clean Coasts. Aside from litter, the groups came across of plenty of wildlife, including a hedgehog in the dunes, and an abundance of wild orchids and other plant life.
The Think Before You Flush campaign, operated by An Taisce’s Clean Coasts in partnership with Uisce Éireann, emphasises the importance of appropriate flushing behaviour. It highlights the issue of flushing items such as wet wipes and other sanitary products, even if they are labelled flushable. Only the 3 Ps, pee, poo and paper, should be flushed down the toilet. When items such as wet wipes are flushed, they can cause serious blockages in sewage systems. This causes sewage overflows and, ultimately, pollutes our coastal waters and beaches.
The team also discussed the Think Before You Pour campaign that looks at the issue of pouring fats, oils and greases (FOGs) from cooking down the kitchen sink. Instead of flowing freely, FOGs cool and harden as they travel along the wastewater network. When FOGs combine with sewage-related litter such as wipes, hair and dental floss, fatbergs can form. Uisce Éireann clears hundreds of blockages, including fatbergs, from the wastewater network every week. The Think Before You Pour campaign urges everyone to avoid washing FOGs down the kitchen drain. Instead, always dispose of them in the bin once cool.
Olivia Jones, Clean Coasts Coordinator for the North West said:
Clean Coasts were delighted to join Uisce Éireann and Enniscrone Clean Coasts group on a beach clean on Enniscrone beach. It was also interesting to hear from all sides involved in implementing positive action on the coasts and to engage in conversations about the Think Before You Flush campaign with those in attendance. Sewage-related litter poses a real burden on our wastewater network and natural environment. The wonderful news is that the solution is straightforward. Only flush the 3 Ps (pee, poo and paper) down the toilet. Everything else belongs in the bin. Through collaboration, we can support better flushing behaviour and deliver a tangible positive impact for our natural environment.
Nuala Woods, Head of Wastewater Operations at Uisce Éireann, stated:
Everyday 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:
Through our partnership with Clean Coasts, we work 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.