Now in its fifth year, Unblocktober is a month-long campaign held every October to raise awareness and encourage action to improve the health of UK waterways.
From our seas and rivers to the health of our drains and sewers, the state of British water has never been more in focus.
We previously told you ten things you should never flush into a septic tank – but here are some other ways you can make an impact this year.
What can I do?
The most immediate (and easiest) commitment you can make is to not flush any of these items:
- Chemicals
- Sanitary products
- Food waste
- Fats
- Dental floss and cotton buds
- Rainwater
- Cigarette butts
- Napkins and paper towels
- Antibacterial products
- Nappies and cat litter
And while Unblocktober is a great time to start, if you can continue to avoid flushing those problematic things all year round, that’s even better.
Plus, if you can spread the message among friends, family and house guests where appropriate, you’ll make a clear difference.
Unfortunately, almost half (48%) of people in the UK still pour fats, oils and greases down their drains.
Meanwhile, with 11 million tonnes of plastic being dumped into the oceans every year, it’s clear that there’s still plenty of work to be done raising awareness.
As well as knowing what not to flush into a septic tank, or how to avoid problems associated with blocked drains, you can also:
- Sign up as an individual or business at unblocktober.org to accept the ‘Unblocktober challenge’. After sign up you will receive a resource pack with advice, checklists, equipment lists and more.
- Post tips on social media on how to determine what is safe to flush and what to look for on packaging.
- Share stories that advance and spread the conversation about making our waterways healthier.
- Accept the #UnblocktoberChallenge each week to raise awareness and potentially win prizes.
- Nominate people or organisations as champions for the ‘Unblocktober Awards 2023’.
Want to improve your drain health?
All of the above are great ways to get involved and make a difference during Unblocktober.
But one way you can have a positive impact on the health of our waterways all year round is by ensuring your own system functions at its best.
To talk to a specialist about septic tank replacements, sewage treatment plants, CCTV drainage surveys or any other drainage services, please get in touch.