Council’s Sewerage System

Council would like to inform you of what can be disposed of into Council’s Sewerage Systems.

Toilets:

Your toilet is a very important part of the sewerage system which is a series of pipes and pumps sending the sewage that you flush to our treatment plants. Putting the wrong things down the toilet may:

• Block or damage the sewer pipes on your property which may require expensive private plumbing repairs
• Reduce the sewage treatment plant efficiency therefore, increasing the costs of sewage treatment

Please only flush the three P’s – Pee, Poo & Toilet Paper

Any other item such as baby wipes (even if they say they are flushable), cotton buds, nappies, hygiene products and the like, should be disposed of in the bin. Council’s Sewer Treatment Plants are currently experiencing an influx of wipes and Council would like to remind residents that this clogs up the sewer network and can also cause issues with your internal plumbing pipes. This can cause unnecessary expense to Council and residents.

What else can you do?

A critical part of your property’s plumbing is the Overflow Relief Gully (ORG). It’s designed to help prevent your house flooding with sewage in the event of a sewer blockage. The ORG looks like a grate at ground level which can be found outside your home within your property boundary. In the event of a sewer blockage, the cover of the ORG should pop up/off to release pressure and direct sewage away from your house. You can help the ORG do its job by:

• Checking the grate is loose and not blocked
• Not building over the ORG
• Not planting trees or shrubs over/near the ORG

Please direct any enquiries to Council’s Water and Wastewater section by phoning 4189 9100 or by email info@sbrc.qld.gov.au.