On the outskirts of Birmingham lies Minworth Waste Water Treatment Works, one of Europe’s largest sewage treatment plants. Handling waste from 1.8 million people across Birmingham and the Black Country, this facility processes everything flushed and washed down from thousands of households and businesses every day.
Hidden beneath the city, this vital but unseen world is where sewage flows in through a massive inlet and undergoes treatment before being safely released back into the environment. Yet, despite clear guidelines, many residents continue to flush items they shouldn’t.
Severn Trent Water, which operates Minworth, strongly advises following the ‘three P’s rule’: only pee, poo, and toilet paper should be flushed. Unfortunately, a variety of problematic items keep turning up, including wet wipes, nappies, sanitary products, and cotton buds. These materials are collectively referred to as ‘rag’ and cause around 30,000 small blockages annually across the Midlands sewer network.
READ MORE: UK Urged to Stockpile Three Key Foods Ahead of Eight-Hour Snowstorm
READ MORE: Much-loved Midlands Pub Sets Reopening Date Following Year-Long Closure
Another major issue is the accumulation of FOG—fat, oil, and grease—particularly from restaurants and hotels. These substances clog pipes and drains, but businesses can reduce this by installing grease traps. Interestingly, the collected fat and grease can be repurposed and sold as biofuel, providing an eco-friendly solution and financial incentive.
Beyond the usual offenders, Minworth staff have encountered an astonishing range of bizarre objects. Toys flushed away, often by accident, accumulate in a section the workers jokingly call the ‘toy shop.’ Other strange finds include goalkeeping gloves, condoms, and even a dead rat hidden beneath giant piles of rag.
The surprises don’t stop there. Grant Mitchell, blockage lead at Severn Trent Water, shared some of the most unusual discoveries: “We’ve found guns and knives, which we hand over to the police. There have been motorbike parts, lorry tyres, a Christmas tree, a shed, and even a whole horse.”
Grant also emphasized a common misconception: “Sewer pipes aren’t huge as many think — they’re roughly the size of a toilet roll. Flushing rag may seem easy, but it can quickly lead to flooding in your own home.”
Philip Powell, a senior technician with 44 years’ experience at the plant, noted how the problem has worsened over time. “When I started, rag wasn’t nearly as prevalent as it is now,” he recalled.
This visit to Birmingham’s Minworth facility highlights how crucial it is to be mindful about what we flush. Simple habits can prevent costly blockages, protect the environment, and keep this hidden part of the city’s infrastructure running smoothly.