Got a blocked inlet screen? Call the muffin monster.
That is the hopeful solution to waste woes at Cromwell's wastewater plant, where the Richard Parks Rd septage receiving site is struggling with deposits of the non-biological kind.
T-shirts, blocks of wood and "even a shoe'' have been found in septic tank waste, and septage was therefore having to be put into the main sewer, Central Otago District Council infrastructure services manager Julie Muir said.
But this caused problems caused at the inlet screen, and the tank waste had to be manually handled by the operators.
"For the operations staff, this is the worst aspect of the job, as they work to unblock clumps of matter coming through the pipes in 'slugs'.''
The solution? A "muffin monster'', which, "believe it or not'', was the "actual name'' of a sewage grinder invented in Sweden, Ms Muir said at last week's council waste and property committee meeting.
"It just grinds everything up.''
Council staff incredulous about the name of the piece of equipment were poised with jokes and quick-fire comments, but collectively kept themselves in line, abstaining from toilet humour.
But "why on earth would you call it a muffin monster?'' Ms Muir said.
The muffin monster has been ordered and is expected to arrive within three months.
In the meantime, council staff are preparing an awareness campaign about "what you can and can't put down the loo''.
