The 'Dirty Dozen' gang has recently hired two accomplices to wreak havoc on NI Water's sewer system at Holywood, in the form of a plank of wood and a mop.

The 'Dirty Dozen' are the twelve most common items the public flush and dump down our sewers. The ring leader is the innocent looking baby wipe, closely followed by sanitary towel. These ordinary household items head a gang of everyday products that cause mayhem with the sewer system when flushed down the toilet or dumped in the sewers.

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Gary Little, part of the 'Dirty Dozen' team set up to combat the growing threat to our sewers, explained: "We are literally fighting a daily battle to clear blocked sewers at a cost of over £1.7 million to NI Water every year.

"The 'Dirty Dozen' on their own cause enough damage to the sewers without the added risk of planks of wood or mops! Not only do these items get stuck in the sewer, they prevent wastewater from flowing freely to the treatment works for process. This in turn results in the sewer backing up and spilling out.

"A new tanker and state of the art CCTV equipment has been purchased and a 'dirty dozen' team has been set up to tackle blockages caused by this notorious gang and the sidekicks they hire."

(CD/IT)