A five-metre-high toilet plunger has appeared beside the Museum Aan de Stroom (MAS) in Antwerp as part of a campaign warning residents against flushing wet wipes, pouring cooking oil down sinks or disposing of other waste through drains. The city and water company Water-link say blocked sewers cost around €700,000 to repair in 2025 alone.
The amount of waste removed from Antwerp’s street drains has almost doubled in two years, rising from 27 tonnes in 2023 to 52 tonnes in 2025, according to Water-link. The company also had to send out repair teams to deal with sewer blockages, on average, once every two days over the past year.
The problem is caused by items and substances that should never enter the sewer system. Cooking oil and frying fat can solidify in pipes, while wet wipes and other discarded materials accumulate and cause blockages. Paint, construction waste and concrete residues can also damage the drainage network.
In the most serious cases, sections of sewer have to be replaced. Nico Dries, who manages Water-link’s pipe network, said these repairs had cost approximately €700,000 last year.
Ken Casier (N-VA), Antwerp Alderman and chairman of Water-link, pointed out that the costs ultimately affect all customers through their water bills. He also warned that blocked drains can have consequences beyond expensive repairs. If rainwater cannot drain away during heavy downpours, streets and basements risk flooding.
Campaign targets households and businesses
The giant plunger is part of a joint campaign by Antwerp and Water-link called ‘Prevention is better than unblocking‘. It will remain beside the MAS for a month, drawing attention to what should and should not go down household drains and toilets.
The campaign targets both residents and businesses. Restaurants and other hospitality venues are expected to install appropriate grease filters, while construction companies should not wash out concrete mixers into street drains.
Households are also being urged to dispose of cooking oil properly rather than pouring it down the sink. Even a single bottle of used frying oil can cause damage if it enters the sewer system instead of being taken to a collection point.
The campaign’s message is simple: think before flushing or pouring anything down the drain. Waste that disappears from sight does not simply disappear from the sewer system.
