The Sligo Public Participation Network supported by the initiative, The of Power to Change and staff from ATU Sligo all recently came together to organise an event called Uisce Álainn – Embracing the Healing Power of Water. ‘Think Before You Flush’, a campaign operated by Clean Coasts in partnership with Uisce Éireann, was delighted to be involved.
The overall aim of the event was to highlight and embrace the healing power of the water, and celebrate our interactions as a community with water through sport and the environment. The event also involved clubs such as The Sligo Rowing Club, Medb’s Dragon Warriors, Northwest Canoe Club, Sligo Bay Catchment River Trust, and individual kayakers.
Clean Coasts presented the Think Before You flush campaign at The Gate Lodge in Doorly park urging the people of Sligo to protect their local environment by only flushing the 3 Ps (pee, poo and paper) down the toilet.
The Think Before You Flush campaign works with local communities across Ireland and Sligo to raise awareness on the issues of flushing unsuitable items down the toilet and highlights the consequences of doing so. These includes blockages in our wastewater network and treatment plants, sewage overflows and sewage-related litter ending up on our beaches and natural environment. The campaign message is simple. Only flush the 3Ps (pee, poo, and paper) down the toilet – everything else goes in the bin.
Many people love the convenience of disposable wet wipes, facial pads, and dental floss. Most people, however, are unaware of the problems associated with these items when inappropriately flushed down the toilet. Research has found that just over one in five adults admit to regularly flushing items down the toilet that are known to cause blockages and can have detrimental effects on the wastewater network and the marine environment. Unlike toilet paper, which is designed to disintegrate quickly in our pipes and sewage systems, other items do not break down easily.
The Sligo Public Participation Network supported by the initiative, The Power to Change and staff from ATU Sligo worked alongside the Think Before You Flush campaign to raise awareness about the initiative. Olivia Jones from Clean Coasts said: “Through education and awareness, the Think Before You Flush campaign aims to prevent items like wipes, cotton bud sticks and sanitary items ending up on Ireland’s shores. One of the strengths of the campaign is working with communities, such as Sligo, who are encouraging behavioural change in this area. Research indicates that attitudes and flushing behaviours are changing for the better but there is still work to do.”
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 a