Combatting the weather
Overflows at Kendalls Beach and Black Beach during our most recent heavy rain events remind us that everyone has a part to play to help protect our wastewater network. And it begins in the home.
What you can do to help
Only flush the “three Ps” down your toilet:
- pee
- poo
- paper (toilet paper!).
Don’t flush:
- wipes
- cotton buds
- nappies
- dental floss
- tissues
- hygiene products
- paper towels
- medicine.
Also remember, you shouldn’t connect your property’s stormwater drainage to your wastewater drainage. These cross-connections increase flow in our wastewater network during wet weather which can lead to overflow events like those recently seen at Kendalls Beach and Black Beach.
A vice-like grip known as a "clam shell" is used to pull out incorrectly flushed items that should be thrown away with normal household rubbish. These truck-mounted machines pull out thousands of kilos of wet wipes and other unwanted materials that damage our networks and harm the environment.
What happens if you flush more than the three Ps?
What you do and don’t flush matters! Anything flushed outside the three Ps (pee, poo and toilet paper) chokes our network and increases the chance of overflows in and around your home during heavy rain. Wet wipes are still the major culprit being flushed. Please dispose of these and other items on the “don’t flush” list with your regular rubbish.
Flushing only the three Ps helps protect our network and the environment.
What we’re doing to help
We’re trying to reduce wet weather overflows by replacing, relocating and upgrading Emergency Relief Structures (ERS) and other assets.
During heavy rain, stormwater can get into the wastewater system through cracked and damaged pipes, or incorrectly connected private property pipes.
ERSs reduce wet weather overflows by diverting excess stormwater out of the wastewater system. In turn, this prevents overflows (or surcharges) inside people’s homes or from our maintenance holes in public areas.
Our Kiama Customer Surcharge Package 14 is being planned and will:
- relocate an existing ERS near Kiama Surf Beach, decommission the old one and modify existing stormwater drains and vents in the area around Barney Street
- upgrade an existing ERS at BIG4 East Beach Holiday Park.
