Sewage networks are not only clogged with sauerkraut or cucumbers: clothes and furniture are also found

No one is surprised anymore

Nothing surprises Mindaugas Preikša, who has been working at UAB “Kėdainių Vandenys” for 17 years. The head of the city’s water treatment department says that people in their homes throw everything that goes in through the toilet hole into the sewer.

“People think it’s normal to flush wet wipes, sanitary napkins, condoms or earplugs down the drain, they’re small things that don’t do any harm because they all run off and disappear.

However, this is not the case, it is very bad to behave in this way, because such things clog sewage networks and travel through pipelines to treatment plants. Such items should go to landfill and not to sewage networks.

Sauerkraut and cucumbers are the most harmful to pipelines. They stick, stick and clog sewage networks

And we find everything: polyethylene film, plastic bags, and diapers.

It seems hard to believe, but we can find underwear, jackets, and all kinds of clothes,” said a long-time employee.

A closet is not a trash can

Master Stepas Jasudavičius, who oversees main sewage networks, says that it is difficult to explain to residents that a toilet is not a trash can.

“Our networks are very clogged due to various food waste being poured into the sewers – from grease to spoiled food that is not suitable for consumption.

Among other things, sauerkraut and cucumbers are the most harmful to pipelines. They stick, stick and clog sewage networks a lot,” the master taught.

There are also malignant ones

Residents throw not only food waste into the sewage network, but also get rid of various things. Residents throw everything that does not fit into the toilet into the sewage wells.

“Unnecessary things are thrown into the sewers by malicious persons. There is no other way to call such behavior.

15min archive photo/”Kėdainiai vandenė” water treatment facilities clean water in such a way that it is safe to release it into the environment.

We have found a broken scooter in the city sewers. A little away from the city – in the Pramonė district – we have found furniture. We also found a TV stand in the sewers. It’s hard to understand, but that’s the reality,” reveals S. Jasudavičius.

Causes accidents

There are cases when the sewerage networks get clogged – water can start flowing from the sewer wells to the surface.

“When sewage networks get clogged, we hear complaints, although it’s not us who clog them, but the residents themselves, throwing things into the sewers that shouldn’t be allowed.”

In any case, our people respond to residents’ messages, drive, clean, organize.

We even have a special robot that travels through the pipelines and looks for obstacles.

We solve all problems promptly, but we would also like to ask for the goodwill and understanding of the residents. Please respect not only the work of our employees, but also yourselves, your neighbors, because we are causing inconvenience to everyone,” Rimgaudas Praninskas, the director of “Kėdainiai vandenų”, addressed Kėdaini residents.

It is necessary to remember

Water is purified in Kėdainiai vandenės treatment facilities in such a way that it is safe to release it into the environment. There are all technological possibilities for this. However, the less unnecessary waste enters the sewage networks, the fewer accidents will occur, the less inconvenience residents will experience, and the company’s work will be more optimal.

15min archive photo/ These special containers, which are located in the Kėdainiai city waterworks, contain small waste that people throw into the sewers.

“We ask residents not to pour cat litter, hair, food scraps, oil or other greasy products into the sewage system.

All sewage networks, even those located in the private property of residents, are seriously damaged even by seemingly innocent things such as coffee grounds, smoke, dental floss.

We finally have to understand that the sewage system is not a garbage can, but all – even the smallest garbage – must go to the landfill”, concluded R. Praninskas.

Liability is at stake

Unfortunately, but well-intentioned residents or companies do not always succeed in clarifying the requirements. Legal acts provide that warnings or fines may be issued for non-compliance with the requirements for the management of generated biological waste, including fat.

It ranges from 60 to 260 euros for first-time offenders, and from 260 to 1,140 euros for managers of legal entities or other responsible persons. In the case of repeated offenses, the fine imposed on individuals can be from 290 to 1,150 euros, and for legal entities – from 1,250 to 4,350 euros.