Hair straighteners, watering cans and £5 notes found in sewers as Anglian Water issues warning
Hair straighteners, watering cans and even a £5 note are among the bizarre objects recovered from sewers across the region this year.
Anglian Water has revealed some of the strangest discoveries made by its teams as it warns that people flushing unsuitable items down toilets and drains are causing thousands of preventable blockages.
Other objects recovered from the company's 76,000km sewer network include clothes, spoons, bottles, scissors and shoes.
According to Anglian Water, these items can combine with wet wipes, sanitary products, fats, oils and grease to create stubborn blockages that threaten homes and the environment.
Its teams tackle approximately 35,000 blockages annually, prompting the company to support the national Unblocktober campaign encouraging people to dispose of waste responsibly.
Wet wipes remain a particular concern, with an estimated 500,000 flushed down toilets across Eastern England every day.
Unlike toilet paper, they do not break down readily in water and can take more than 100 years to decompose.
Anglian Water has welcomed legislation banning the sale of plastic-containing wet wipes in England from May 2027.
However, it wants manufacturers to stop describing wipes as flushable altogether.
A survey of its customers in 2025 found approximately 72% would flush wipes labelled 'fine to flush'.
The company has also welcomed parliamentary discussions about clearer packaging warnings, following a proposed bill introduced by Southend West and Leigh MP David Burton-Sampson.
Lizzie Frost, water recycling network director at Anglian Water, said: "Along with record breaking investment, Anglian Water is working closely with communities through the Just Bin It campaign to change behaviours and reduce avoidable blockages by asking customers to think twice about what goes down toilets and plugholes to help prevent blockages and protect the environment."
She added: "Our lasting message to all customers is to only flush the 3 Ps: pee, poo and paper."
The company says population growth and increasingly heavy rainfall are placing additional pressure on its wastewater infrastructure.
It is undertaking an £11 billion investment programme running until 2030, including sewer upgrades, expanded treatment facilities, improved monitoring and new wetlands.
Anglian Water says the improvements are intended to reduce flooding and sewage spills while protecting water quality.
The company is urging households across its region to help prevent avoidable problems by keeping unsuitable waste out of toilets and drains.