SCOTTISH Water is encouraging customers to keep the water cycle going by responsibly disposing of cooking fats, oils and grease over the Christmas period and beyond.

The company is reminding households that over time, cooking fats, oils and grease poured down the sink or drain can build up and cause blockages in drains and sewer pipes preventing waste water draining away properly and in turn causing unpleasant internal sewage flooding or environmental pollution.

This can be prevented by responsibly disposing of these fats and oils. Scottish Water is encouraging families to leave them to cool and place them in a suitable container, such as an empty milk carton, then dispose of them in the bin or recycle if possible.

Animal fats and meat juices can also be harmful to birds, the company says scraps should not be used to feed them.

Peter Farrer, chief operating officer of Scottish Water, said: “While it is important that our customers do not pour fats, oils and grease down the kitchen sink or drain, it is also vital that they dispose of such residue responsibly, rather than leaving it out for winter birds.

“There is a misconception that sewers are vast, cavernous tunnels, but in truth the majority are very narrow pipes of no more than a few inches in diameter.

“It is very easy for these narrow pipelines to become blocked, causing waste water to back up and spill.” According to the chief Scottish Water spends an annual £7million responding to over 40,000 blockages a year – 80 per cent are caused by household waste that should go in the bin.