Did you know that what you flush down the toilet or pour down the sink can impact your local river? Many people don’t realize that everyday habits at home can help keep our rivers clean and healthy. The good news? Small changes can make a big difference!
If you’re concerned about the health of your local rivers, there are simple actions you can take to help protect them. The things you flush or pour down your drains can have a big impact on the health of our local rivers because everything that goes down the drain ends up at your local sewage treatment works (STW). Waste that goes down the drain in Thame travels through the sewers to the Thame sewage treatment works, where it’s treated and then fed into Lashlake Stream.
How Sewage Treatment Works…Work!
Sewage treatment works are like giant fish tank filters, using the power of beneficial bacteria to break down organic waste, much like how composting breaks down food scraps. Each STW is unique, but they all use a network of pumps, tanks, and treatment beds to clean the wastewater. However, some materials cause serious issues—like plastics and other rubbish—which should never go down the drain. These items can’t be broken down, leading to blockages, equipment failures, and pollution incidents that harm our rivers and the wildlife that depends on them.
Protect Your Pipes and Our Rivers with These Simple Tips
Here are some simple steps to follow to help protect your local rivers and streams—and reduce the risk of blockages in your home plumbing:
- Stick to the Three Ps
Only flush Pee, Poo, and Paper—that’s it! Items like wet wipes, sanitary products, and nappies don’t break down the same way as toilet paper and can cause blockages in your pipes and at sewage treatment works. Even wipes labelled “flushable” should go in the bin. These products contain plastic and won’t completely break down, even though they might disappear down the drain. - Keep Cooking Fat Out of Drains
Cooking fats, oils, and grease solidify in pipes, leading to serious blockages. Instead of pouring them down the sink, collect fats in a container like a jam jar or yogurt pot, let them cool, then scoop them out and dispose of them in the bin. Leftover food scraps should also be wiped into the bin before washing dishes. Some local councils offer special disposal methods for fats, so be sure to check with them for more information. - Dispose of Chemicals & Pharmacuticals Safely
Never pour chemicals like paint, petrol, or solvents down the drain—they can kill the beneficial bacteria that help treat wastewater, making the system less effective. Chemicals should be taken to a local recycling or waste facility. Medicines, syringes, and needles should be taken to your pharmacist or local health authority for safe disposal.
Why It Matters
Being mindful about what goes down your drains can help protect our local rivers, streams, and the vital wildlife they support. By taking these small actions, you’ll also reduce the risk of blockages in your own plumbing, saving you from expensive repairs.
This article was written in collaboration with River Thame Conservation Trust, a local charity working for a healthy river catchment with clean water and thriving wildlife, valued and enjoyed by local people. If you’d like to learn more about the River Thame catchment or find out how to get involved in local conservation efforts, visit www.riverthame.org
