Those attending Reading Festival are being advised to exercise caution with what they dispose of in lavatories to prevent blockages and operational issues.

Thames Water is cautioning visitors to this year’s event to restrict flushing to only three items: urine, faeces, and toilet tissue, in order to maintain proper sanitation infrastructure throughout the gathering.

During the previous edition of the festival, approximately 1.2 million litres of sewage required removal via tanker vehicles to the Reading Sewage Treatment Works.

Inspections revealed an array of unsuitable materials including disposable wipes, contraceptives, garments, and camping furniture within the restroom facilities.

Tessa Fayers, who leads the waste and bioresources division at Thames Water, explained that the annual Reading event represents one of the summer’s major occasions, with company personnel maintaining continuous operations throughout the duration to ensure lavatories remain functional for attendees.

The guidance remains straightforward: individuals should limit what they dispose of through flushing to the aforementioned three categories.

Blocked sanitation facilities would prove inconvenient for anyone present at the gathering.

By utilising the receptacles provided and restricting flushing to those three elements, visitors can assist in preventing system failures, reducing inconvenient interruptions, and dedicating more time to enjoying performances rather than standing in queues for unusable amenities.

Thames Water deploys a purpose-built filtration system at the venue to separate unsuitable materials prior to wastewater processing, which assists in averting obstructions and safeguarding equipment.

The organisation intends to maintain oversight of treatment operations throughout the festival period to swiftly manage any concerns affecting tanker logistics.