Looking After the Sewerage System

All water that goes down drains and toilets in your home is discharged to the sewerage system.

The wastewater we return to the sewerage system via our toilets and internal drains, is transported through a network of sewer pipes to either City West Water's Altona Treatment Plant, or Melbourne Water's Western Treatment Plant. At the treatment plants the wastewater is treated and then either disposed of to Port Phillip Bay, or goes through a secondary treatment process so that it can be used as recycled water.

When harmful items are disposed of down the sewer, they can cause blockages or make the treatment process more difficult.

To help reduce the impact of the wastewater that is discharged to the Bay, make the water more easily treated for recycling, and ensure that our sewerage system provides a consistent level of service to our customers, it is important not to dispose of harmful materials and substances down your toilet or drains.

It is important that these items are NEVER disposed of down the toilet or drain:

• cooking oil or fat -wipe down with a paper towel and throw in the bin
• food scraps - put in a compost heap
• feminine hygeine products
• nappies
• bandages
• condoms
• cotton buds
• icecream sticks
• building rubble or off-cuts
• glass and plastic - put in your recycle bin
• ground coffee or tea leaves - put in a compost heap
• nail polish remover
• razor blades
• engine oil
• pesicides
• paint
• other common household chemicals.