Freshwater Beach: Wet wipes pipe blockage sparks sewage overflow alert

A popular Sydney beach is on a sewage overflow alert after flushed wet wipes choke a public wastewater pipe.

A flushed wet wipes wastewater pipe blockage emergency has prompted authorities to advise people to keep away from a section of one of Sydney’s most popular beaches.

The pipe was choked with the moist disposable disinfecting towelettes, as well as rags, sparking concern of a potential sewage overflow into stormwater outlets at the northern end of Freshwater Beach.

Sydney Water has advised people to avoid the north end of Freshwater Beach because it may be affected by a sewage overflow into the stormwater outlets, caused by wet wipes blocking a large nearby wastewater pipe. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

Sydney Water has put up signs advising against swimming, fishing and letting dogs enter the water until tests can confirm no sewage contamination has occurred.

Emergency maintenance crews were sent to Evans St at Freshwater last Thursday after reports of a blockage in a shared wastewater pipe under the street.

Sydney Water has advised people to avoid the north end of Freshwater Beach. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

Wastewater is the used water that goes down sinks, toilets and drains.

Sydney Water said Thursday’s overflow began coming from a “boundary trap”, or overflow point, which is designed to stop the wastewater backing up into a person’s house.

“Our team immediately contained and rectified the blockage, which was caused by wet wipes and rags which had built up and completely blocked the wastewater pipe,” a spokesman said.

“The area was cleaned and disinfected and no odour was detected.

Sydney Water has advised people, and their pets, to avoid the north end of Freshwater Beach because it may be affected by a sewage overflow into the stormwater outlet. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

“As the blockage had potential to discharge to Freshwater Beach, signs were put up to inform beachgoers and samples were obtained which later returned a negative result.”

Sydney Water testing teams returned on Saturday afternoon to take follow-up samples near the stormwater outlets at the beach to ensure there was no discharge.

“We are awaiting the results of the follow-up samples,” the spokesman said.

Do not flush wet wipes down the toilet. Picture: iStock

In the meantime warning signs have been strung up over the beach stormwater pipes.

On Tuesday morning, the signs were still in place. There were also lengths of hosepipe — similar to to a firefighting hose — running alongside the concrete stormwater outlets. There was also a pile of hoses alongside a track leading to the beach.

A pile of hoses left beside the track leading to the northern end of Freshwater Beach Picture: Jim O'Rourke

Sydney Water is now pleading with residents to only flush toilet paper. It has previously said that even though some wet wipe brands might state on the packaging that they were flushable, they do not break down and they cause blockages in wastewater pipes as a result.

About 75 per cent of wastewater blockages addressed by Sydney Water involve flushed wet wipes.

Wet wipes taken from the Brisbane’s sewerage network after a blockage. Picture: News Corp

“Sydney Water takes its responsibility to protect public health and the environment seriously, and reminds the community that wet wipes and sanitary products should not be to flushed down the toilet as they are a major cause of sewer blockages which can have serious environmental impacts,” the spokesman said on Tuesday.

Residents were also reminded that other products such as facial tissues, make-up wipes, baby wipes, cleaning wipes, nappies, female sanitary products, condoms, cigarette butts, cotton buds, dental floss, hair and unwanted medication should never be flushed down the toilet, but should be placed in the bin.

The toilet is only for the three Ps — poo, pee and paper (toilet).