Galway City Council has launched a campaign to reduce the volume of waste material being flushed into the public drainage system.
It is asking people and businesses to be mindful of when they flush or pour waste materials down toilets or drains.
The council says the volume of wet wipes and other sanitary items that find their way into the sewage system is posing a significant problem.
Around 100 tonnes of such materials are being removed from the Mutton Island wastewater treatment plant in Galway every month.
Irish Water says this is the equivalent of eight double-decker buses containing foul material that has to be disposed of.
The problem is compounded by fats, oils and grease being poured down sinks. When these combine with wipes and other sewage litter, they form so-called "fatbergs" that can block pipes and impact on the wastewater network.
Locals and visitors to the city are being encouraged to be mindful of the steps they can take to responsibly dispose of such materials, instead of flushing or pouring them away.
Irish Water says "only the 3 Ps: pee, poo and paper" should be flushed down the toilet. All other items, including wet wipes and other sanitary products, should go in the bin, even if they are labelled as flushable. Householders and restaurants are being asked to let grease and fats cool and set before they are disposed of in bins.
The council’s campaign is the latest initiative to promote responsible behaviour in order to reduce pollution. The local authority says a similar effort to tackle dog dirt in public spaces has significantly countered the problem in a number of trial areas.
