THIS is the disgusting pile of wet wipes, sanitary products and fat build-up which has caused 1,700 blockages across Worcestershire.

We visited the Ladywood Sewage Treatment Works, near Claines, to see the impact caused to the city's sewage system by not flushable items.

The images show the result of unflushable products amassed over two days which gets sent to landfill as it is non-biodegradable.

Gareth Mead, river ranger team manager for Severn Trent, said he does not believe the issue is down to negligence.

READ MORE: Residents react after Severn Trent close road

Worcester News: Gareth Mead, River Ranger Team Manager for Severn Trent.Gareth Mead, River Ranger Team Manager for Severn Trent. (Image: Newsquest)

He said: "This is the impact of flushing these items that are not meant to be flushed. 

"The blockages that this causes can lead to flooding and pipes bursting across the network.

"We have a motto of the three P's, which are poo, pee and paper, anything but these items should not be flushed.

"I do not think that it is negligence from people in Worcestershire, I feel it is more a matter of education for people to know what the impact is.

Mr Mead also said fat and grease are another major issue which leads to the blockages across the network.

Worcester News: Wet wipes, sanitary products and fat being collected at the sewage treatment works at Ladywood.Wet wipes, sanitary products and fat being collected at the sewage treatment works at Ladywood. (Image: Newsquest)

He said: "Fat and grease which gets thrown down the sink or flushed is also a massive issue and perhaps it is because people are not aware of good ways to dispose of it.

"Some products like certain kind of wipes are often mistaken for being safe to flush but they build up and cause blockages.

"A good tip that I recommend is to leave it in a bowl until it solidifies and put it outside for birds.

READ MORE: Lower Broadheath homes 'routinely' flooded for decades

Worcester News: Sewage Treatment Works at Wandlip in Leicestershire. Sewage Treatment Works at Wandlip in Leicestershire. (Image: Severn Trent)


Want to stay up to date with all the latest news for your local area? It's easy, just sign up for our email newsletters here and all the important stories that matter to you will be delivered straight to your inbox.


"You can mix in seed and get some really easy-to-make bird feeders.

"For those that do not want to do this, you can simply put it into a container or a bag and dispose of it."

In February, Severn Trent released an image of what a week of wipes and sanitary product build-up looks like at a sewage treatment works in the East Midlands.

The company said that in the last year, the majority of blockages were caused by people misusing the sewer system and flushing things like wet wipes.