A campaign to reduce sewer blockages across Wirral has been launched to encourage residents in Moreton and Greasby to think twice about what they're flushing down their toilets and pouring down their sinks.
United Utilities and Wirral Working Together started the campaign, Stop the Block, in a bid to reduce the risk of blockages and future flooding.
Since the campaign began, there has been a 94% reduction in unflushables found in the sewers of Moreton and Greasby.
Playing a huge part in the campaign are 12-year-old Charlotte Bithell, from Bebington and Lucy O’Keeffe, 10, from Moreton, who won the United Utilities competition to share the Stop the Block message and help educate the next generation.
Charlotte, who is in Year 7 at Wirral Grammar School for Girls, was named the winner of the secondary school writing competition for her newspaper article encouraging people to get behind the campaign and become Wet Wipe Warriors.
Charlotte said: “I entered the competition after our own toilet was blocked and I researched why this happens – I was shocked to see what some people will flush! I’ve always loved writing and I’m so happy to win this competition.”
Lucy, who attends Lingham Primary school, was chosen as the winner of a primary school poster competition for her creation of the ‘flush fairy’ who uses her magical powers to stop the wrong things going into the sewers in order to prevent costly flooding.
Lucy said: “I entered the competition because I love drawing and our class have been learning about the environment, the world we live in and how we manage wastewater. I’m surprised and shocked to be the winner, my family are very proud of me.”
Councillor Liz Grey, who is chair of the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee and is supporting the campaign, judged the poster competition.
She said: “I’m thrilled to be supporting the Wirral Working Together campaign. The personal and environmental impact of blocked sewers can be devastating, and anyone can be guilty of not knowing what we can and can’t flush down our drains. This is a timely reminder for all of us!”
The campaign is reminding residents to put unflushables such as wet wipes in the bin and not down the toilet, and put cooled fats, oils and greases into the bin and not down the sink. Failing to do this can clog up drains and sewers which can lead to sewer flooding in homes, gardens and local communities.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here