Urban Utilities finds Covid face masks in sewerage network

Face masks could potentially cause costly blockages in southeast Queensland’s wastewater system.

One of disposable face masks that was found in the wastewater system recently.

First it was wet wipes, now it’s face masks.

Queenslanders are known for flushing some odd things down the dunny, but a discovery this week has left Urban Utilities scratching their heads.

Several face masks have been spotted floating in among sewage during the latest lockdown, prompting an urgent caution from the water authority.

Urban Utilities treatment plant manager Mandy Murchison said it was important everyone continued to follow health authorities’ advice to safely dispose of masks in the bin and not be tempted to flush them.

“While many people are disposing of their masks correctly there are some people out there who aren’t doing the right thing,” she said.

“We are already starting to see a few masks arrive at our treatment plants so we’re reminding people to only flush the Three Ps – pee, poo and paper.

“Masks that aren’t placed in the bin can also make their way into stormwater drains which can put our local waterways and wildlife at risk.”

Ms Murchison said Urban Utilities cleared about 3500 blockages from its pipe network every year.

“We already remove around 120 tonnes of wet wipes – the equivalent of 34 hippos – from our wastewater network each year so we don’t want to see masks contributing to blockages,” she said.

“Disposable masks are made from durable material that won’t break down like toilet paper after they’re flushed, so they could cause costly blockages in our network or your household plumbing.”