Surfing hotspot Bundoran has been chosen by Irish Water to become a ‘Think Before You Flush’ community to encourage good toilet practices.
The popular tourist town is one of 14 locations nationwide to be part of the educational campaign to prevent sewer blockages.
An estimated 4,600 blockages occurred across Ireland this year due to inappropriate items being flushed down toilets.
When the 3 Ps (pee, poo and paper) are flushed down the toilet they travel along the sewer network to wastewater treatment plants.
Irish Water revealed that every day people flush thousands of items such as wet wipes, cotton bud sticks, nappies and cotton wool pads down the toilet instead of putting them in a bin.
Flushing these items can have a negative impact on internal plumbing in homes and businesses, the wastewater network and our marine environment.
The new Bundoran Wastewater Treatment Plant came at a cost of €9million, so in order to make the most of the water quality improvement, locals are being asked to ‘Think Before You Flush’.
Clean Coasts together with Irish Water will be delivering educational workshops in schools, promoting the campaign at festivals and community events and working with businesses in these communities.
Speaking about the campaign, Siobhan Sheil, Irish Water said: “Irish Water is investing in wastewater infrastructure right across the country. We are building new wastewater treatment plants, upgrading old plants and laying new sewers.
“It is also really important that people recognise the impact of what they flush so the network can function efficiently and effectively. Placing a bin in the bathroom and disposing of sanitary items safely and appropriately has a hugely positive impact on the network and the environment.
“Irish Water has invested €9 million in the completion of the Bundoran Wastewater Treatment Plant. This project has stopped the discharge of the equivalent of 9,600 wheelie bins of raw sewage per day into the sea. Bathing water quality for surfers and swimmers in Bundoran will be greatly improved and there will be great scope for economic and social development in the area.
“In order to make the most of this water quality improvement we are asking locals to think before flush items such as wet wipes and sanitary products down the toilet,” Sheil said.