A large lump of rubbish was recently found in the sewer tunnel at Bjergsted in Stavanger. A lump that was so big that it could rather be classified as a rock. Several tens of meters long and an estimated weight of 24 tonnes. There were wet wipes and disposable wipes along with other waste such as tampons, condoms and panties. Everything thrown in the toilet. The rock had to be picked apart by the employees who operate the sewer tunnel. By hand. Many strange things have been found in the sewage plants. Here is a selection. Photo: Stavanger Municipality When a large lump of waste is torn up into smaller pieces, the pieces eventually float with the water and end up in the treatment plant. Wet wipes and wipes most often in the bathroom Analyzes and random samples carried out by Handelens Miljøfond show that it is sanitary products such as disposable wipes and wet wipes that make up the largest proportion of the rubbish thrown in the toilet. In the analysis, a total of six treatment plants from Rogaland, Viken, Vestland and Oslo were investigated. Snuff, pads, tampons and condoms are also on the top ten list of rubbish that ends up in the wrong bin, in this case the dosing bowl. Much else has also found its way to the sewer tunnels. Along with the quantities of wet wipes was also a tennis ball, a toothbrush and a pair of panties. From the toilet to the sea – Oh look, here’s a mobile phone! I don’t know if it’s real or a toy phone, but it’s waste anyway, says Patrick Fiskå. He is at a pumping station in Stavanger, stirring with a long stick a pile of waste in what is called the “sewage swamp”. Patrick Fiskå. Photo: Hanne Høyland / news The “Kloakk-sumpen” is a shaft where waste that does not belong in the pumps ends up. Fiskå works with the operation of the pumping stations in Stavanger. He has seen a lot of strange things end up in the facility. Everything has found its way there via the toilet. – Entire denim trousers and planks have been found. You wouldn’t think that could find its way here, he says. In the quantity, there are still mostly disposable cloths and wet wipes. Patrick Fiskå found, among other things, a mobile phone and a quantity of wet wipes in the “sewage swamp”. Hanne Høyland / news Wet wipes and disposable cloths do not dissolve in water, and the consequences of throwing them in the toilet can be great. – It ends up in the pipes and pumps, and in turn leads to condensation and damage. The consequence is that it will end up in the sea and on the beaches. It will be harmful to sea and animal life, says Fiskå. Wet wipes and disposable cloths clog a drain pump at Gausel in Stavanger. Photo: Stavanger municipality And it’s not just the sea and animals that can get worse. – If there is condensation, we either have to stop the pumps and pull everything out, or replace the pumps. It is expensive for the residents, says Fiskå. – It’s not going away Water, sewage and waste disposal manager in Stavanger municipality, Jarle Furre, looks down into the “swamp”. – It doesn’t look good. There is a lot here that should not be here, says Furre. He is worried that the toilet is being used as a waste bin a little too often. Patrick Fiskå shows the head of water, sewage and waste disposal in Stavanger municipality, Jarle Furre, the waste that ends up in the “sewage swamp”. Photo: Hanne Høyland / news Furre suspects that there may be several reasons why people throw things in the toilet. – Maybe it’s ignorance or maybe the easiest way to get rid of it. But it does not disappear, it becomes a problem for the environment and it costs money, says Furre. – Now we have to toughen up! Only three things need to be in the bathroom! One is toilet paper. You can think of the other two things yourself.
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Found a 24-tonne mountain of rubbish in the sewer
