Posted on:
03 October 2025
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Call to Customers to Help Keep Sewers Flowing in Face of Climate Change
03 October 2025
Avoidable blockages
Over £7 million of public money is spent on clearing blocked sewers each year, the majority of which could be avoided by only flushing pee, poo and toilet paper.
Scottish Water has renewed its plea to customers to help keep Scotland’s sewers flowing freely, as increased downpours from climate change puts extra pressure on the system.
The call comes as part of the publicly-owned utility company’s ongoing Nature Calls campaign, which began in 2022 and is aimed at reducing the number of wet wipes and sanitary products being flushed down the toilet.
Thanking customers for their efforts so far, Scottish Water has said the good work needs to continue – and is asking people to help spread key advice such as binning wipes and only flushing the 3Ps (pee, poo and toilet paper) with friends and family to ensure the number of sewer blockages are reduced.
Speaking during Scottish Climate Week, Scottish Water’s sewer response customer manager Garry Kirkwood said: "Thanks to customer efforts so far, we've seen a reduction in blockages in several communities that we have targeted with our messaging, showing that small changes at home can make a big difference.
“However, at a time when we are seeing heavier, more extreme rainfall across the country due to climate change, we need our sewerage system to be working at its most efficient to reduce the risk of flooding to our customers.
“Clearing chokes caused by wet wipes, sanitary products and fats, oils and grease that have combined to create a horrible mess is time-consuming, unpleasant for those who are affected by them, and ultimately costly – we spend more than £7 million a year clearing sewer blockages that are largely avoidable.”
Last year alone, more than 35,000 blockages had to be cleared across Scotland—roughly 3,000 every month—with each incident costing £300 to clear.
Over 80% are caused by the wrong things being flushed down the toilet or poured down sinks, including wet wipes, sanitary products and fats, oils, and grease.
Many wet wipes contain plastic and don’t break down once in the sewer network, leading to blocked sewers and the release of plastic into the marine environment.
Garry added: “We are owned by the people of Scotland and, as part of our Nature Calls campaign, are again appealing directly to them – please, please do not flush wipes and sanitary products down the toilet or pour fats or oils down the sink.
“Your actions in the home have a very real impact on people in your communities, on the environment and on our staff members who have to deal with the resulting issues.”
The message is simple – only flush the 3Ps: Pee, Poo and toilet Paper. Everything else, including wipes, should go in the bin.
For kitchen waste, such as fats, oils and grease, there is advice on the Scottish Water website for customers on how to deal with these, so they don’t end up down the sink clogging sewer pipes. Please go to www.jointhewave.scot for more information.
The UK Government announced it is committed to banning the sale and supply of wet wipes containing plastic in 2024.
The call comes as part of the publicly-owned utility company’s ongoing Nature Calls campaign, which began in 2022 and is aimed at reducing the number of wet wipes and sanitary products being flushed down the toilet.
Thanking customers for their efforts so far, Scottish Water has said the good work needs to continue – and is asking people to help spread key advice such as binning wipes and only flushing the 3Ps (pee, poo and toilet paper) with friends and family to ensure the number of sewer blockages are reduced.
Speaking during Scottish Climate Week, Scottish Water’s sewer response customer manager Garry Kirkwood said: "Thanks to customer efforts so far, we've seen a reduction in blockages in several communities that we have targeted with our messaging, showing that small changes at home can make a big difference.
“However, at a time when we are seeing heavier, more extreme rainfall across the country due to climate change, we need our sewerage system to be working at its most efficient to reduce the risk of flooding to our customers.
“Clearing chokes caused by wet wipes, sanitary products and fats, oils and grease that have combined to create a horrible mess is time-consuming, unpleasant for those who are affected by them, and ultimately costly – we spend more than £7 million a year clearing sewer blockages that are largely avoidable.”
Last year alone, more than 35,000 blockages had to be cleared across Scotland—roughly 3,000 every month—with each incident costing £300 to clear.
Over 80% are caused by the wrong things being flushed down the toilet or poured down sinks, including wet wipes, sanitary products and fats, oils, and grease.
Many wet wipes contain plastic and don’t break down once in the sewer network, leading to blocked sewers and the release of plastic into the marine environment.
Garry added: “We are owned by the people of Scotland and, as part of our Nature Calls campaign, are again appealing directly to them – please, please do not flush wipes and sanitary products down the toilet or pour fats or oils down the sink.
“Your actions in the home have a very real impact on people in your communities, on the environment and on our staff members who have to deal with the resulting issues.”
The message is simple – only flush the 3Ps: Pee, Poo and toilet Paper. Everything else, including wipes, should go in the bin.
For kitchen waste, such as fats, oils and grease, there is advice on the Scottish Water website for customers on how to deal with these, so they don’t end up down the sink clogging sewer pipes. Please go to www.jointhewave.scot for more information.
The UK Government announced it is committed to banning the sale and supply of wet wipes containing plastic in 2024.
