South West Water workers have uncovered a creepy baby doll, a pair of pants and a lone shoe in sewers across Devon, prompting a plea for Brits to 'think before you flush' this Halloween.
The doll was discovered in Exmouth, where it had to be fished out by staff. A pair of pants was found in a pipe in Exeter, and a sad-looking children's toy was found buried beneath concrete. These items can become trapped in pipes and create a pollution risk.
Unusual Finds in the Sewer Network
Jay Harris, Wastewater Director at South West Water, said: 'A baby doll blocking a sewer is certainly one of the more unusual things we've come across recently, but our teams often find items that simply shouldn't be in the sewer network.'
Harris added: 'Every day our teams work behind the scenes to keep the network flowing and protect the environment, often dealing with the consequences of things that have been incorrectly flushed or disposed of.'
Think Before You Flush
'While some discoveries can be surprising, they highlight an important message. The sewer network is designed to carry wastewater, and unexpected items can cause blockages that put pressure on the network and increase the risk of flooding and pollution,' Harris explained.
'That's why we're encouraging everyone to think before they flush this Halloween and help keep the network flowing.'
Flush Only the Three Ps
South West Water is reminding customers to flush only the 'three Ps': pee, poo and paper. Other waste should be disposed of responsibly to help prevent blockages and protect the sewer network.
