Hidden ‘pipe monster’ threatens health—here's how it puts you at risk

In the Land Down Under, where the wildlife is as diverse as the landscape, Australian residents face a less natural and more menacing threat lurking beneath their homes.

It's not a creature from the outback but a man-made menace. Authorities are sounding the alarm, urging the public to be vigilant about what they flush down the toilet and pour down the sink.

The issue has become so severe that it's not just a plumbing problem; it's a public health concern and an environmental crisis.


The Water Corporation of Western Australia recently issued a stark warning.

It was accompanied by stomach-churning images of fatbergs—congealed masses formed when oils and fats poured down drains solidify and entangle with non-flushable items like wet wipes, paper towels, and sanitary products.

These blockages are more than just a nuisance; they're a symptom of a widespread problem that strains our sewage systems, wallets, and the environment.


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A warning has been issued in Western Australia after 'fatbergs' were discovered in drains. Credit: Water Corporation / Facebook


The repair jobs required to remove these blockages are tedious and come with a hefty price tag.

'Non-flushable products like wet wipes, paper towels, cotton buds, and sanitary items can cause major blockages when flushed down the toilet instead of being put in a bin,' a Water Corporation spokesperson explained.

'The cleanup is expensive, time-consuming, and entirely preventable.'


The solution seems simple, yet it's a message that bears repeating: dispose of fats, oils, and grease in the bin, and remember the golden rule of flushing—only the 3Ps: toilet paper, pee, and poo.

The consequences of ignoring this advice are dire.

Unlike toilet paper, which is designed to disintegrate quickly, items like wipes and sanitary products are stubborn in water.

They don't break down quickly, leading to clogs and overflows that can wreak havoc on household plumbing and municipal wastewater treatment facilities.

But the impact goes beyond our pipes. When these non-biodegradable items enter waterways, they pollute the environment and seriously threaten marine life.

Plastics and synthetic fibres from flushed materials contribute to long-term environmental damage, a legacy that could affect future generations.


As seniors, we have a responsibility to lead by example and educate our families about the importance of proper waste disposal.

It's not just about avoiding a call to the plumber; it's about preserving the beautiful Australian environment we all cherish.

Share this message with your friends and family, and let's ensure that the only creatures thriving in our waters are the ones Mother Nature intended.
Key Takeaways
  • Authorities in Western Australia have issued a warning regarding the dangers of flushing inappropriate materials following the discovery of 'fatbergs' in drains.
  • Fatbergs are created when oils, fats, and non-flushable items like wet wipes and sanitary products cause severe blockages in the plumbing system.
  • The Water Corporation spokesperson advised the public to dispose of fats and grease in the bin and only to flush the 3Ps: toilet paper, pee, and poo.
  • Flushing non-organic materials can lead to costly repairs, environmental damage, and disruptions at wastewater treatment plants, resulting in pollution that affects marine life.
Have you or someone you know encountered plumbing issues due to improper disposal? What steps have you taken to ensure your household is part of the solution? Share your stories and tips in the comments below.
 

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Before my time, 79-80, kapooka, school of arty manly , 80-86 A battery 8/12 Med. Will tell u the rest after I've sussed out Kman.
Yeah, I went in 68, out in 74. Enough for me. If you were in A Bty, you'd have known Snowy Donkin? He was my RSM in Vietnam. He was in charge of 4 Fd Regt but pulled us 131 Locators under his wing. I heard he spent time in A Bty. One of nature's gentlemen. In Singapore ANZUK I was in HQ Bty as an Arty Surveyor, we had 103 Fd Battery there, 1st Light Battery (Poms), and a few guys sent over by NZ from 161Bty. We were all mixed up and all got along well. I recently spent time with my old Pom Sgt who was a retired British ex-pat living in Portugal. He died a few months ago, but my wife and I had a good time with a few years ago. I miss him a lot, he was the nicest guy.
 
Yeah, I went in 68, out in 74. Enough for me. If you were in A Bty, you'd have known Snowy Donkin? He was my RSM in Vietnam. He was in charge of 4 Fd Regt but pulled us 131 Locators under his wing. I heard he spent time in A Bty. One of nature's gentlemen. In Singapore ANZUK I was in HQ Bty as an Arty Surveyor, we had 103 Fd Battery there, 1st Light Battery (Poms), and a few guys sent over by NZ from 161Bty. We were all mixed up and all got along well. I recently spent time with my old Pom Sgt who was a retired British ex-pat living in Portugal. He died a few months ago, but my wife and I had a good time with a few years ago. I miss him a lot, he was the nicest guy.
I was 7 in 68, didn't even have pubs:LOL:. The only snowy I ever heard about at A Battery use to be a Sgt in arty transport, was he at long tan?
 
I was 7 in 68, didn't even have pubs:LOL:. The only snowy I ever heard about at A Battery use to be a Sgt in arty transport, was he at long tan?
No mate, he wasn't at Long Tan.
Shame you never run into him, all the guys loved him, he was the fairest guy I ever met in the army.
Check him out...........
 
No mate, he wasn't at Long Tan.
Shame you never run into him, all the guys loved him, he was the fairest guy I ever met in the army.
Check him out...........
Will do (y) we only had 1 gun sgt who served in Nam, our BSM and BG from 82 on were Nam vets, hard nose buggers but Ok. I'd have to look up their names, memory not good with names.
 
The army here can't spell, then, can they? They should learn English.
Piss off you idiot. You ever served?
go and shove the pointy end of a pineapple where the sun don't shine. He served. So did I. 37 years. Yes we have lysdexics (bad spelling intended) in the ADF. A lot of them are excellent soldiers, sailors or airmen. If this is your only comment, then I surmise you didn't finish primary school.
 
Piss off you idiot. You ever served?
go and shove the pointy end of a pineapple where the sun don't shine. He served. So did I. 37 years. Yes we have lysdexics (bad spelling intended) in the ADF. A lot of them are excellent soldiers, sailors or airmen. If this is your only comment, then I surmise you didn't finish primary school.
Cheers kman, spot on,small things small minds. A few of my mates were borderline illiterate, but could shoot the arse out of a gnat at 400 mtr.
 
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Piss off you idiot. You ever served?
go and shove the pointy end of a pineapple where the sun don't shine. He served. So did I. 37 years. Yes we have lysdexics (bad spelling intended) in the ADF. A lot of them are excellent soldiers, sailors or airmen. If this is your only comment, then I surmise you didn't finish primary school.
What were you? A REMF. Says it all.
 
I knew I'd spelt it wrong way back when, but seriously who gives a toss, so fuckin petty, like I said, just a slug, slow lazy uncoordinated grub. Love to have a guess where it's from, but don't want to offend any cavemen.🦧
STAND TO ATTENTION WHILE YOU LEARN ENGLISH!
Piss off you idiot. You ever served?
go and shove the pointy end of a pineapple where the sun don't shine. He served. So did I. 37 years. Yes we have lysdexics (bad spelling intended) in the ADF. A lot of them are excellent soldiers, sailors or airmen. If this is your only comment, then I surmise you didn't finish primary school.
REMFs both of you! :poop::poop:
 
STAND TO ATTENTION WHILE YOU LEARN ENGLISH!

REMFs both of you! :poop::poop:
Mate, if u weren't such a toss this would almost be humerous, F.O arty sig actually, look it up, what were you? tail-end charlie in a shower line or a tucker fucker. You right about the army nurse kinda, but the injection was the other way around, hurry up and get to the bottom of that bourbon bottle and take your meds.🖕.
 
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