The product you didn't know was clogging your pipes

New York Post

3 days ago

There are a few things we all know we're not supposed to pour down the sink, or flush down the toilet.
Think, oil and wet wipes specifically.
Since it's fairly common knowledge, the amount we do it – if at all — is fairly limited.
But, we just found out there's another thing you're not supposed to pour down the sink =- and chances are you do it every day.
5 Sydney Water's TikTok exposes some of the things you shouldn't pour down the sink – but probably do.
Tiktok/@sydneywater
'PSA incoming!'
Sydney Water has taken to TikTok to share a funny clip, exposing some of the things you shouldn't pour down the sink — but probably do.
'PSA incoming,' they wrote.
'No oil down the sink.'
And yes, we knew that. But then it gets a little weird.
'And don't pour milk,' it said.
5 'Don't pour milk,' the video said.
Tiktok/@sydneywater
The video went on to discourage people from pouring coffee grounds down their sinks, but I'm still stuck on the milk thing. Am I not supposed to tip the end of every bottle down the sink??
'WHERE DOES THE MILK GO'
And, it seemed commenters were on the same page, with just about everyone questioning their entire lives.
'WHERE DOES THE MILK GO,' said one commenter.
'Then what am I meant to do with half a jug of milk?' another asked.
5 The video also discouraged people from pouring coffee grounds down their sinks.
Tiktok/@sydneywater
'Milk as well? Whoops, how do I get rid of spoiled milk? Lol,' a third agreed.
'Wait, why not milk???' another person asked.
'Seriously question though, why no milk?' said another.
5 'Milk as well? Whoops, how do I get rid of spoiled milk? Lol,' a third commenter said.
Tiktok/@sydneywater
Here's the situation
Speaking to Kidspot, Sydney Water's Principal Manager Environment, Ben Armstrong, confirmed that these commenters are aligned with the majority of Aussies, with the vast majority of people having no idea you aren't supposed to pour milk down the sink.
'Our latest data shows that 70 per cent of Sydneysiders think it is ok to pour leftover milk down the sink,' he said.
5 'Other items, such as milk, oil and grease can solidify in pipes and cause blockages, leading to expensive repairs,' Ben Armstrong, Sydney Water's Principal Manager Environment, said.
Tiktok/@sydneywater
Instead, only water, detergent and soap are allowed, otherwise your pipes are at risk of blockages.
'Other items, such as milk, oil and grease can solidify in pipes and cause blockages, leading to expensive repairs,' he said.
'When fats, oil and grease hit the cool water in your wastewater pipes, they harden. They then combine with other waste like wet wipes to form a hard blockage known as a 'fatberg'.
'These blockages can cause overflows which can be a health and environmental nightmare, with wastewater backing up and overflowing into homes, backyards and local waterways.'
As for what you're supposed to do with your milk instead, Ben said it might be better off in your garden.
'We recommend disposing of milk by diluting it with tap water and using it to water your plants – it's a great source of nutrients for your garden,' he said.