Nappies, wet wipes, cigarettes and toilet roll tubes are just some of the items that are being flushed down toilets leading to sewer blockages around the country, according to Irish Water.
Irish Water and Clean Coasts are urging the public to 'Think Before You Flush', as the impact of flushing plastic and fabrics down toilets is having an impact on the environment.
Head of Asset Operations for Irish Water Tom Cuddy said the consequence is a lot of sewer blockages and during wet weather some of these can result in spills and overflows into rivers and coastal waters.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, he said: "Only the three Ps should be flushed down the toilet - pee, poo and paper".
Mr Cuddy also warned that dental floss and hair should not be flushed down toilets, as ultimately they cause damage to the environment.
Recent studies carried out by Irish Water show that one in four people flush things that should not go down the toilet, including wipes, face masks, cotton buds, sanitary products, food, hair and plasters.
Irish Water said an average of 60 tonnes of wipes and other items are removed from screens at the Ringsend wastewater treatment plant every month, the equivalent of five double decker buses.
At the utility’s wastewater treatment plant in Mutton Island in Galway city, around 100 tonnes of such items are removed every year.
