NI Water’s Halloween sewer monster teaches Newry pupils the ‘3 Ps’ after flooding incident
Pupils at St Patrick’s Primary School in Newry have received a spooky Halloween lesson from NI Water’s sewer monster, Wipezilla, following a sewage flooding incident in the city.
The visit was organised to teach children about the dangers of flushing wet wipes and other unsuitable items down toilets, which can cause blocked sewers, flooding and environmental pollution.
NI Water’s education team used Halloween-themed demonstrations to explain how everyday household waste can create serious problems in the wastewater network.
Newry flooding incident prompts school visit
The educational visit followed an out-of-sewer flooding incident at Second Avenue in Newry, where NI Water crews were required to clear a blockage caused by inappropriate items being flushed into the sewer network.
NI Water Education Officer Pat McCauley and Wastewater Customer Field Manager Daniel Toal visited St Patrick’s Primary School after being invited by Councillor Aidan Mathers, who is a member of the school’s board of governors.
The team explained how items such as wet wipes and sanitary products can accumulate inside underground pipes, creating blockages that may eventually cause wastewater to overflow.
The pupils were shown a demonstration of a blocked toilet and learned about the environmental consequences of disposing of unsuitable materials through the sewer system.
Wipezilla delivers a Halloween warning about the ‘3 Ps’
The star of the visit was Wipezilla, NI Water’s wet wipes monster, who helped deliver a simple message about what should and should not be flushed down toilets.
Children were encouraged to remember the ‘3 Ps’: – Pee, Poo, Paper
NI Water stressed that these are the only items that should be flushed down the toilet, with wet wipes, sanitary products and other waste placed in a bin instead.
Unlike toilet paper, wet wipes and many other hygiene products do not break down readily in water. They can accumulate in pipes and contribute to blockages, sewer flooding and pollution.
The session formed part of NI Water’s wider ‘Bin It’ campaign, which encourages households to dispose of unsuitable waste correctly.
NI Water warns of real-life sewer horrors
NI Water Wastewater Customer Field Manager Daniel Toal said the Halloween event was designed to deliver an important environmental message in an engaging way.
“Halloween is a time for scary stories, but sewer flooding is one horror no family or community should have to face,” he said.
“Many blockages are caused by wipes and other unsuitable items being flushed down the toilet, so it is important to remember the 3 Ps – pee, poo and paper – and put everything else in the bin.”
Mr Toal praised the pupils for their enthusiasm and willingness to help protect their local environment.
He said that disposing of wipes and sanitary waste correctly could help prevent sewer blockages and flooding.
Simple steps to prevent blocked sewers
NI Water is encouraging households across Northern Ireland to take simple precautions to protect the wastewater system.
Alongside remembering the ‘3 Ps’, residents are advised not to pour fats, oils and grease down kitchen sinks.
These substances can cool and solidify inside pipes, contributing to large blockages that restrict wastewater flow.
By disposing of household waste correctly, residents can help reduce the risk of flooding, protect local waterways and prevent unnecessary disruption to communities.
The school visit highlighted how children can play an important role in sharing these messages with their families ahead of Halloween and throughout the year.
External link: NI Water — Wipezilla warns Newry pupils of frightful flushes this Halloween
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