Both South West Water and MP Cherilyn Mackrory are calling for people to take the Unblocktober pledge to improve the health of our drains, sewers, watercourses and seas.
Driven completely by the British public, Unblocktober aims to continue to improve the health of our drains and reduce the environmental impact of our wastewater. Launched by drainage experts Lanes Group in 2019, the campaign is marking its fifth year in October 2023.
Cherilyn Mackrory, MP for Truro and Falmouth said: “I’m proud to be supporting Unblocktober and South West Water in cleaning up our sewerage system. I’m always shocked when I’m told about items found in the sewer that shouldn’t be there. South West Water currently spends over £4 million each year on unblocking over 7,000 sewers. This has to stop.
“I’m urging my constituents to love their loo and only flush the 3Ps: pee, paper, and poo. Wet wipes, fats, oils, and greases are some of the biggest contributors to blockages. These do not belong down the toilet, and I’m pleased that the government has announced plans to ban plastic-based wet wipes in a bid to tackle water pollution.”
Guy Doble, Director of Wastewater Services Recovery, Treatment and Networks for South West Water, said: “Unblocktober is a vital campaign which supports the investments we make to improve the health of our drains and reduce the environmental impact that poor habits can have on our beautiful region. In the face of fatbergs and rising blockages, it is essential that we work together to reduce the waste that enters our drains every day. Unblocktober is focused on helping us work towards achieving this as a country, and we are happy to support the campaign and continue to encourage our customers to take the pledge too.”
The campaign calls for consumers to keep potentially harmful waste materials out of their drains for the whole month. This includes any of the following products:
– Cooking oil – pre or post-cooking
– Margarine
– Butter
– Lard
– Cooking sauces and condiments
– Food – even crumbs
– Wet wipes
– Face masks
– Tampons, applicators and wrappers
– Sanitary/menstrual pads and towels
– Nappies
– Condoms
– Cotton buds
– Contact lenses
– Bandages and plasters
– Razor blades
– Dental floss
– Rubber gloves
You can sign up to the pledge here.
Jacob Larkin, spokesperson for Unblocktober, said: “The support of institutions such as South West Water, and of public figures such as Cherilyn, is so important to help us to achieve our goal of reducing the environmental damage caused by poor drain health. We look forward to working with them both to encourage the UK public to continue to take the Unblocktober pledge and protect our drains and waterways.”
For more information on the campaign and how to get involved, visit: https://www.unblocktober.org/
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