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Rangitikei District Council strapline

The Wastewater NO-NO List

  1. Fats, oils, and grease.
  2. Food waste including things like vegetable peels, coffee grounds, or eggshells.
  3. Personal hygiene products like pads, tampons, condoms, wet wipes or nappies.
  4. Medications. These can end up in the wastewater and harm animals. Ask your pharmacy how to dispose of them safely if necessary.
  5. Strong chemicals such as paint or pesticides as they can pollute the wastewater and harm the environment. Instead, contact Council to find out where to safely dispose of them.
  6. Non-biodegradable items like plastic wrappers, cigarette butts, and paper towels. Put these in your landfill (or paper towels can be composted!).
  7. Rainwater can also add extra pressure on our wastewater system, so it’s important to make sure it goes down the stormwater drain. To make sure your rainwater is going to the right place, check the gully traps on the outside of your house and make sure to avoid connecting stormwater pipes to the wastewater system.
A photo from the Marton Wastewater Treatement Plant and the ponds.