
In an unusual public relations move, Watercare, the council-instituted organization responsible for the water and wastewater services in Auckland, has called out certain neighborhoods specifically for their contribution to the persistent sewage problems afflicting the city. This harsh indictment is largely predicated on the improper disposal of cooking fats and greases down household drains.
Taking to social media earlier today, Watercare pointed the finger at residents of Henderson, Māngere East, Mt Roskill, Avondale and Highland Park. The communiqué read, “Good morning to everyone, except individuals in the aforementioned neighborhoods who’ve been persistently pouring fats, oils and grease down their sinks.”
Emphasizing these neighborhoods’ inclusion in their metaphorical ‘bad books’, Watercare suggested that the consequences of such conduct – fats solidifying into substantial accumulations known as ‘fatbergs’ that line and block pipes – could be quite revolting.
In a series of such targeted posts, Watercare has been consistently highlighting the predicament on social media. Other Auckland suburbs have also previously faced public reprobation for their sewerage issues.
According to Watercare, blockages caused by hardened fat can lead to overflows of wastewater. This grim sight includes mixed waste from toilets, kitchen sinks, showers, and washing machines. They elaborated that simply flushing such accumulation with hot or cold water does not solve the issue but merely relocates it further down the pipeline.
To tackle the repercussions of residents’ careless disposal, Watercare reports spending about $6 million each year. Advocating for responsible disposal of fats, oils, and grease, they urged the citizens, “If it isn’t soap or water, it doesn’t belong down the sink.”
The public takedown was met with mixed responses from the residents of the targeted areas. Some criticized the allegations as being overly harsh and unhelpful, putting the blame back on Watercare for insufficient infrastructure, slow responses, and hypocritical standards. Others, however, supported the initiative, expressing appreciation for the reminder and sharing their own strategies for fat disposal.
In response, Watercare’s chief customer officer, Amanda Singleton, expressed that the monthly naming and shaming strategy sought to galvanize residents into action against fatbergs and sewage overflows.
On a decidedly nauseous note, a terrible tale arose from the Avondale neighborhood. One resident divulged a disturbing account of a neighbor who was disposing of chicken carcasses down the toilet, believing it to be a more economical alternative to paying for a waste disposal tag. Although this shocking revelation underscores the urgency of addressing these critical issues, it also reveals a need for further education and awareness about responsible waste disposal.