Anglian Water engineers are accustomed to finding unusual items in the sewer system, but recent discoveries are raising eyebrows – and highlighting a significant problem. From basketballs and tennis balls to tools and toys, the company has revealed a bizarre catalogue of misplaced objects blocking its regional network, with rubber ducks among the latest oddities.
While amusing, these finds underscore a serious issue: preventable blockages are causing flooding and posing a risk to the environment. According to Anglian Water, approximately 80% of sewer flooding incidents in the region are directly attributable to blockages caused by inappropriately discarded items. Last year alone, engineers tackled a staggering 37,000 blockages and removed tonnes of rubbish from the network.
“Our teams work hard to find and fix blockages on our sewer network each and every day,” explains Regan Harris from Anglian Water. “We have enough sewer pipe in our region to go around the world twice, meaning our engineers remove an avoidable blockage nearly every five minutes in a bid to keep our sewers flowing, protecting the environment and our customers’ homes from flooding.”
The primary culprits remain wet wipes and sanitary products, materials that don’t readily break down in water and contribute significantly to blockage formation. However, the sheer variety of discarded items found highlights a broader issue of irresponsible waste disposal.
Anglian Water is now investing £86 million over the next five years in proactive blockage clearance. However, the company stresses that public cooperation is crucial. They are urging customers to adopt a simple rule: only flush pee, poo, and toilet paper.
“Although some of the things we find down the sewer can be comical, this is the reality of what our teams face every day, and it’s putting our beloved environment and homes at unnecessary risk,” adds Harris. “You wouldn’t use your bin as a toilet, so please don’t use your toilet as a bin.”
The company’s campaign aims to raise awareness and encourage responsible behaviour, reminding the public that proper waste disposal is vital for protecting both their homes and the surrounding environment.
