Forum Topic

Thames Tideway Tunnel Won't be ready until 2025

https://www.thames21.org.uk/2021/04/thames21-raises-alarm-about-river-sewage-crisis/With recent complaints of sewage in the Thames and the knowledge that after just a little rain the system can't cope and untreated sewage is discharged please don't add to the problems by contributing to fatbergs by putting down the sewers anything that shouldn't be put down.Surfers Against Sewage are one of the charities who are now in Glasgow campaigning for cleaner rivers and oceans.  We here could do so much better.

Philippa Bond ● 1322d7 Comments

Interestingly Thames Water took a company to court over their marketing of unsuitable to flush wipes.  You can see the problem of manufacturers -v- water companies.https://www.thameswater.co.uk/about-us/newsroom/latest-news/2019/oct/wet-wipe-ruling-welcomed-by-thames-waterThames Water have certainly also made a concerted effort to advertise what you shouldn't flush.  Their vans often have messages telling the story...

Philippa Bond ● 1316d

There is a video which shows the difference between a tissue being stirred in a glass of water and a piece or two of loo paper being stirred in a glass of water.We actually gave up having tissues in the house and just use loo paper for blowing noses.  It means that we can just flush it.  Those puppies have a lot to answer for!We stayed in a house once where it was nerve racking going to he loo because it was I think a Saniflo which isn't connected directly to the stack but has to pump its contents to it.  We heard it blocked very easily.  Everybody had to be reminded each time they went to be careful with the amount of loo paper they used!

Philippa Bond ● 1318d

I have lived in a rural property with no waste supply - all went to a septic tank.  Makes you think carefully about what goes down sinks and loos, including avoiding bleach and other harsh chemicals, and I still try and buy the products that are safe for septic tanks as they tend to contain more natural ingredients.  One thing I learned was that you shouldn’t even put tissues down the loo - only loo paper degrades quickly enough to avoid blockages.

Heather Christie ● 1320d

It is a good point. I never understood the need to use those wipes, full of chemicals, single use and generally useless compared to a sponge or baby cotton pads.And who flushes these things anyway, they belong in the bin!I probably bought one packet when my daughter was born and I'm afraid I've used about 5 -which went into a bin- when travelling and the rest has dried up. Clearly not an industry which gets my support!

Marc Blanchard ● 1320d

http://www.putneysw15.com/default.asp?section=community&link=http://neighbournet.com/server/common/ldrsfleuranderson001.htmI agree that most people don't realise that there is plastic in most of these useful wipes which means they just don't fall apart and biodegrade in the same way that loo paper does.  Cynical marketing has caused a lot of expensive problems.  Just look at the pictures.  My son had a pack of baby wipes which said "flushable" on them in big letters on the front of the pack but then in very small print on the back something like "one at a time"!It would be easier for us all if we could easily choose better.Only put the 3 'p's - pee, poo and the loo paper designed to be flushed down the loo - not those wipes!

Philippa Bond ● 1321d

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/oct/26/uk-government-u-turns-on-sewage-after-tory-mps-threaten-rebellion

Philippa Bond ● 1322d

No Sh-t.

Barbara Stevens ● 1322d