South West Water (SWW) has asked customers to help prevent blockages and fatbergs from forming as part of a new campaign.

The water company said fats, oils and greases when mixed with items such as wet wipes, sanitary products and food waste flushed down the toilet or drains could create blockages.

SWW said in the past year it had cleared more than 7,000 avoidable blockages from its network, with three-quarters caused by wet wipes and fats.

Jenny Eamer, waste water services operations manager at SWW, said: “Blockages might sound like something out of a horror story, but they’re very real – and they start with the choices we all make at home and at work.”

The month-long campaign which started in October aims to encourage people and businesses to prevent drain blockages and protect waterways by disposing of waste responsibly.

SWW said wet wipes, even those labelled “flushable”, do not break down like toilet paper.

When mixed with fats and oils they can clump together and form solid blockages which can, over time, grow into fatbergs.

SWW said it could cause flooding, unpleasant odours, pollution in rivers and seas, and damage to the sewer network.

Environmental Compliance and Services partners with SWW and has worked with more than 2,000 food and service establishments and 578 grease traps have been installed as a result to help reduce blockages.

SWW said people could help prevent the issue by only flushing human waste and toilet paper away, and using the bin for other items.