Tasmanians are increasingly dropping their phones down the toilet, with 231 people admitting to the mishap in TasWater’s latest survey.
The figure marks a rise from the utility’s 2024 World Toilet Day survey and highlights a growing trend of bathroom phone use.
Scrolling on smartphones is now the most common activity for people on the toilet in 2025, according to the findings.
TasWater’s Kate Crawford said the results weren’t surprising, given what staff regularly see turn up in the sewerage network.
“Pleasingly though, the results show that most Tasmanians know that only the 3Ps – pee, poo and (toilet) paper – should go down the toilet,” she said.
The survey of more than 1,300 residents also uncovered some quirky bathroom habits.
Three-quarters of respondents fold their toilet paper rather than scrunch it, while partners taking too long in the bathroom topped the list of pet peeves.
Almost 55% of southern Tasmanians don’t close the toilet lid before flushing, while more than half of northern Tasmanians do.
Most people flush between four and six times a day, using roughly 30 litres of water.
Crawford said more than 30% of respondents weren’t aware of where wastewater goes after flushing.
“The truth is that the wastewater goes to a sewage treatment plant, is treated and then returned to the environment,” she said.
To mark World Toilet Day, TasWater will donate $3,000 to WaterAid, which works to improve access to safe water and sanitation around the world.
“While it’s easy to take toilets for granted, around 3.5 billion people worldwide still lack access to safe sanitation,” Crawford said.
