News

Some things aren’t meant to be flushed

By Corowa Free Press

Oct 14, 2026

Wet wipes and other non-flushable items should never be flushed down the toilet; toilet paper only.

Federation Council has officially launched its ‘No Wipes Down the Pipes’ campaign, urging residents to protect local sewer systems and prevent costly blockages.

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The campaign asks everyone to follow the three P's rule: only flush Pee, Poo and toilet Paper.

Mayor Cheryl Cook said even if packaging states that a product is 'flushable', wipes simply do not break down in the system like toilet paper does, and flushing non-flushable items placed an unnecessary burden on local infrastructure.

"Thousands of wet wipes are flushed down toilets across our area, clogging sewage pipes, damaging pump stations and costing ratepayers thousands of dollars to clear," Cr Cook said.

“They create heavy plumbing bills for households and severe blockages in public networks.”

According to personal care and hygiene brand Kine Australia, more than 1,270 tonnes of wet wipes are pulled out of sewer networks each year across Australia, making up about 75 per cent of all sewer blockages.

It costs water utilities an estimated $15 million to $24 million annually clearing wipe-related blockages and repairing infrastructure damage.

Residents needing to report a main blockage can contact Council's Customer Service team on (02) 6033 8999 or after hours on 1800 110 088.