EA and Water UK back Unblocktober campaign

The Environment Agency and Water UK have joined next month’s awareness campaign aimed at persuading the public to make changes to household habits that will improve the health of drains.

The month-long campaign from Lanes Group called Unblocktober has received the backing of the cross-sector Love Water campaign, led by EA and Water UK.

Unblocktober aims to inform the public about protecting UK sewer systems and the seas against avoidable pollution from household drains.

Participants sign up to commit to make everyday changes and not flush waste down sinks or toilets to prevent blockages, fatbergs, concretebergs and pollution.

Helen Wakeham, deputy director of water quality at the EA, said: “What we do at home can have a direct effect on the rivers, lakes and beaches we all care about.

“As part of the Love Water campaign we are urging people to use water wisely, protect water quality and think before pouring cooking oil down the drain or flushing a wet wipe away. By taking these simple steps, we can all play our part to reduce blockages of drains, as well as pollution of our rivers and seas.”

Research carried out for Unblocktober found that 63 per cent of people consider themselves to be ‘very aware’ of what they should or shouldn’t flush down their drains, however 48 per cent continue to pour fats and oils away.

Michelle Ringland of Unblocktober, said: “At this point we need to do more than just raise awareness and educate, we need to change habits. Unblocktober is the ideal way of encouraging people to make a series of small, achievable changes to their behaviour that will make a big difference to the environment.”

More than a thousand households and organisations have signed up to the campaign not to flush numerous household items including: cooking oils, fats, food, wet wipes, tampons and sanitary products, nappies, condoms, cotton buds, contact lenses, bandages or plasters, razor blades, and dental floss.