Katowice sewerage system receives 450 tons of waste annually

Approximately 450 tons of improper waste enter the Katowice sewerage system every year. Common items found include wet wipes, fats, cotton swabs, hair, rags, and construction rubble, though more unusual objects such as toys, clothing, and mobile phones are also recovered.

These pollutants cause significant operational issues, leading to over 700 interventions by water utility workers annually to address blockages and system failures. The Katowice sewage network spans over 845 km and feeds into four treatment plants: Gigablok, Panewniki, Podlesie, and Dąbrówka Mała-Centrum.

In conjunction with the 33rd Clean Up the World campaign, local entities including Katowickie Wodociągi, MPGK Katowice, and Zakład Zieleni Miejskiej highlighted the interconnectedness of urban waste, water, and greenery. The campaign emphasizes that waste discarded in streets or toilets does not disappear but merely changes location, requiring eventual removal.