Careful disposal saves pounds

That is the message from the authority which has also launched a new area of its website to help consumers

And they are putting out the message to bag it and bin it as 80 per cent of household blockages are caused by waste that could otherwise be placed in a bin.

Chris Wallace, director of communications at Scottish Water, said: “We are committed to reducing the impact if sewer blockages which can cause misery and flooding.”

Scottish Water reckons it spends around £7 million a year clearing some 45,000 blockages from the sewer network.

Mr Wallacec continued: “Sewer blockages have a major cost and labour impact on our business.

“Around 80% of sewer chokes are avoidable as they are caused by items such as wipes, nappies, sanitary items and foreign objects such as cotton buds.

“Fats, oils and grease also contribute in a large way towards these blockages.

“For the first time we will be speaking to customers in every home in Scotland through a national advertising campaign on TV with the aim of reducing call-outs our team have to perform to clear choked sewers and drains.

“Our aim is that these pilots will identify successful activities that will influence customer behaviour.

“This will then be the model we use to communicate this message across all of Scotland.”

Scottish Waters web address is www.scottishwater.co.uk/cycle.