Don’t flush your wet wipes
Marlborough District Council operations and maintenance engineer Stephen Rooney is urging people not to flush wet wipes down the toilet.
“Despite being advertised as ‘flushable’, wet wipes don’t break down like toilet paper. When they bind together they block our pumps that keep the sewage moving through the pipes,” he said.
As a result, Council staff had to raise the underground pumps and manually clear them of clumps of wet wipes and other debris that had accumulated, he said.
“Given the current Covid-19 situation, more people are using wet wipes in an effort to keep up hygiene practices. Unfortunately the material wet wipes are made from is not kind to our pipes and they should be placed in the rubbish bin instead,” Rooney said.
“When it comes to what you can safely flush, people need to remember the three P's – pee, poo and paper, anything else should be put in the rubbish.”
Rooney asked that people consider the staff who had to respond when an alarm alerted them to a blocked sewage pump.
“It’s not the nicest job and it takes our staff away from essential work, so it would be good if people could wrap their rubbish and put it out in the council bag instead of blocking toilets, drains or the sewerage system.”
Poll: Do you think banning gang patches is reasonable?
With the government cracking down on gangs, it is now illegal for gang members to display their insignia in public places whether through clothing or their property.
This means arrests can be made if these patches are worn in places like restaurants, shops, on public transport or ferries, and on airplanes. Arrests were made recently at a funeral.
Do you think this ban is reasonable?
-
76.9% Yes
-
22.2% No
-
0.9% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Think You’ve Got the Answer? Today’s Riddle Says ‘Prove It’!
If eleven plus two equals one, what does nine plus five equal?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.