‘Wipe’ Out at Donaghadee as Buried Sea Litter Resurfaces

21 July 2020 13:11

Wetwipe monsters from the deep have started to resurface as historical seabed litter recently washed up along the coastline at Donaghadee. It is thought that such items may have reappeared with the tide, stirred up from the seabed after sitting there for some time.

NI Water’s Wastewater Network’s Area Manager, David Harris explains,
“After closer investigation of our wastewater assets and overflow pipes we know this debris hasn’t appeared as a result of recent operations but are items which have been flushed some time ago. 

“Items such as wipes and sanitary items can unfortunately enter the sea when flushed down the toilet and are washed away with the tide, often settling on the sea bed. These items can remain there for a considerable time until weather conditions and sea swell cause them to be stirred from the seabed and wash up along our coastlines.

“However, such items ending up in the environment is completely avoidable if everyone adopts the simple habit of binning everything other than the three P’s, pee, poo and paper.  

“In the last ten years, we have spent over £1.5 billion investing in water and wastewater infrastructure, but no amount of investment will completely stop blocked pipes or these items polluting our environment if people continue to flush wipes (including flushable), sanitary items and cotton buds down the toilet.”

NI Water, along with its appointed contractor, has carried out a clean-up of the debris. 

Visit www.niwater.com/bag-it-and-bin-it/ for further information.