South West Water is urging customers to think twice before they flush or drop things down a drain.

Engineers have pulled a bizarre collection of items from the region’s sewer pipes, including a toy car, armband, football and even a traffic cone.

While teams are constantly battling with culprits like wet wipes, cooking fat and cotton pads, these latest discoveries spotted on cameras sent down the pipes, left even the most experienced engineers scratching their heads.

A traffic cone was one of more than 8,000 items that South West Water work to clear from sewer pipes each year. (Picture: South West Water)
A traffic cone was one of more than 8,000 items that South West Water work to clear from sewer pipes each year. Picture: South West Water. ( )

“We’re always working to stay prepared for the unexpected,” said Jay Harris, director of wastewater operations at South West Water, “but when a toy car was parked illegally in a sewer pipe, we knew this wasn’t your average day.”

He added: “We even had a traffic cone making a bid for freedom through the sewer network. It’s amazing what turns up in our sewers, and we really don’t know how these mysterious items get there.”

SWW spends millions of pounds each year removing objects like this football found almost completely blocking a pipe at South Molten. (Picture: South West Water)
SWW spends millions of pounds each year removing objects like this football found almost completely blocking a pipe at South Molton. Picture: South West Water. ( )

As comical as these fascinating finds may be, they say, the consequences are no laughing matter.

Blockages caused by inappropriate items in the sewer can lead to wastewater backing up into homes and gardens, damage to infrastructure, and environmental pollution in local rivers and seas.

They can cause flooding in streets, especially during wet weather.

Each year, South West Water clears around 8,500 avoidable blockages, working 24 hours a day, with blockages costing the company £4.4 million each year.

This fully inflated swimming armband was found in a Brixham sewer pipe blocking it completely. (Picture: South West Water)
This fully inflated swimming armband was found in a Brixham sewer pipe blocking it completely. Picture: South West Water. ( )

They say, all of these could be prevented with a little more care about what goes down the loo or sink and especially down the drains.

75 percent of blockages are caused by wipes and fat, with 200,000 wipes flushed per day according to their website.

Find out how to help care for the sewer network at: www.southwestwater.co.uk/household/your-services/your-wastewater/caring-for-your-sewerage