NI Water unveils Halloween sewer monsters created by Northern Ireland schoolchildren

NI Water has unveiled a terrifying team of Halloween monsters created by schoolchildren across Northern Ireland to help raise awareness of blocked sewers, pollution and the dangers of flushing unsuitable items down toilets.

NI Water sewer monster Wipezilla meets St Patrick's Primary School pupils in Newry to teach the 3 Ps ahead of Halloween
St Patrick’s Primary School pupils come face to face with Wipezilla, NI Water’s wet wipes monster, and learn how to avoid sewer blockages and flooding.

The colourful characters, including Sir Block A Lot, Blob the Fatberg, The Oily Oozer and The Clog King, were inspired by winning entries in an NI Water art competition held during the last school year.

The four new creations will join NI Water’s existing wet wipes monster, Wipezilla, to encourage households to protect the sewer network by disposing of waste correctly.

NI Water Halloween monsters created by school competition winners

The new characters were designed by pupils from primary schools in Fermanagh, Antrim and Armagh, with each monster representing the problems caused by items that should never enter the sewer network.

The winning pupils and their creations were:

James Love from Killyhommon Primary School, County Fermanagh, who created Sir Block A Lot: –

Sir Block A Lot sewer monster poster created by James Love from Killyhommon Primary School

Kaiden Meehan from Holy Trinity Primary School in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, who designed The Clog King: –

The Clog King sewer monster poster created by Kaiden Meehan from Holy Trinity Primary School

Harleen Dougherty from Knockmore Primary School in Lisburn, County Antrim, who created Blob the Fatberg: –

Blob the Fatberg monster poster created by Harleen Dougherty from Knockmore Primary School

Charlotte Sloan from Carrick Primary School in Lurgan, County Armagh, who designed The Oily Oozer: –

The Oily Oozer monster poster created by Charlotte Sloan from Carrick Primary School

The winning artwork will be used to help NI Water communicate important environmental messages to children and families.

Each creation illustrates how everyday household waste can contribute to serious blockages and damage within the sewer system.

Sir Block A Lot and The Clog King highlight blocked sewer dangers

Sir Block A Lot and The Clog King represent the consequences of flushing items such as wet wipes and other rubbish down toilets.

Although these products may appear harmless, they can accumulate in pipes and contribute to blockages.

NI Water is reminding households that even wet wipes labelled as flushable should be disposed of in a bin rather than flushed down the toilet.

Blocked sewers can cause wastewater to back up, creating unpleasant smells, pollution and damage to homes and the surrounding environment.

Blob the Fatberg and The Oily Oozer warn against fats and grease

Two of the new monsters highlight the dangers of disposing of fats, oils and grease through kitchen sinks.

Blob the Fatberg and The Oily Oozer illustrate how these substances can accumulate inside sewer pipes, particularly when combined with other waste.

Over time, the material can harden and contribute to large obstructions known as fatbergs.

These blockages can restrict the flow of wastewater, increase maintenance costs and contribute to sewage flooding and pollution.

NI Water is encouraging households to allow cooking fats and oils to cool before disposing of them appropriately, rather than pouring them down the sink.

NI Water reminds households to follow the three Ps

The Halloween campaign reinforces NI Water’s message that only the three Ps should be flushed down toilets: pee, poo and toilet paper.

Items such as wet wipes, sanitary products and other household rubbish should instead be placed in a bin.

The organisation is also urging people to keep fats, oils and grease out of kitchen drains.

NI Water says small changes in everyday behaviour can make a significant difference in preventing blockages and protecting the environment.

Schoolchildren praised for creative Halloween campaign

NI Water Education Officer Anna Killen welcomed the competition winners’ contributions, saying Halloween was an ideal opportunity to introduce the new characters.

She explained that the monsters would help demonstrate how unsuitable waste and cooking oils can create problems within the sewer network.

Ms Killen said these blockages are caused by everyday behaviour, meaning households can help prevent them through simple changes.

She also praised the winning pupils for using their imaginations to communicate important messages about protecting sewers and the environment.

The four new monsters will join Wipezilla in NI Water’s educational activities, helping to remind children and adults that the best way to defeat sewer monsters is to stop creating them in the first place.

External links:

NI Water — Bag It and Bin It campaign

NI Water — Fats, Oils and Grease guidance

Related:

NI Water’s Halloween sewer monster teaches Newry pupils the ‘3 Ps’ after flooding incident

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