Water New Zealand says wastewater treatment plants
around the country are under growing stress because of the
huge number of products that are flushed away.
This
includes not just products containing microbeads but also
wipes which are often used for cosmetics and
cleaning.
Chief executive John Pfahlert says many people
are not aware of the huge problems that wipes cause to our
sewers.
“Wipes clog the sewers causing overflow into
rivers and the ocean, as well as creating a costly clean-up
for ratepayers.
“Water New Zealand and others in the
sector have been working with the industry to try to reduce
the impact of wipes on the environment but it is still a
major problem.
“We need to remember that everything we
flush finds its way into a wastewater treatment plant and
then to oceans, rivers or on to the land.”
John Pfahlert
says he welcomes the government’s proposed ban on
microbeads as a good step in the right direction.
“But
we would like to see more done to prevent other products
being incorrectly disposed of in sewers.
“
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