Zoetermeer launches 'Just poop, no trash in our sewer' campaign

In 2023, the municipality spent more than 900,000 euros to fix sewer blockages. This is some 500,000 euros more than the previous year. "In order not to burden residents with a higher sewerage charge, behavioral change is needed," Alderman Marijke van der Meer stated during the presentation of the campaign, "We all love an oliebolletje during the holidays, but when we have fried them the frying fat should not be flushed down the sink. To make people aware of this and offer a solution, we are launching the campaign this month. The campaign indicates what is not allowed in the sewer and explains where you can dispose of this 'junk'."

What can residents do themselves?

Sewer clogs are mainly caused by deep-frying grease, oil and wet wipes that end up in the sink or toilet. Especially during the holidays, when there is a lot of cooking, gourmet and deep-frying, the city sees a spike in these problems. Instead of flushing deep-frying fat or oil down the sink, it can easily be collected in an empty plastic bottle. This bottle can then be handed in at the Self-Help Depot or at a collection point near you. Moist wipes always belong in residual waste, even if the packaging states that they may be flushed.

With the awareness campaign, the municipality wants to show its residents how to prevent clogs themselves. All information on how to deal with grease, paper, sink and toilet can be seen at www.zoetermeer.nl/riool.