Mid Canterbury residents are being reminded not to put the wrong items down their wastewater pipes, as this has been leading to expensive blockages and unnecessary risks for maintenance teams during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Cooking oils and kitchen grease, which should never be poured down drains, are increasingly likely to solidify in the pipes as conditions continue to cool around the district.

Combined with other non-flushable products like wet wipes, paper towels, sanitary products and food scraps, the resulting 'fatbergs' form giant blocks in the pipes, both on private property and in the Council's sewer infrastructure.

"Wastewater systems are only designed for a handful of things: household greywater like from your washing machine, toilet paper and human waste. Nothing else will disintegrate properly in the pipes and those items should always be put in the bin," Council Infrastructure Services Group Manager Neil McCann says.

"Essential Council workers and contractors have had to attend a number of blockages and overflows recently. Aside from being a costly job - in present conditions, it's also an unnecessary risk to staff who are trying to follow the Government's rules to self-isolate where possible."

Residents who are unsure what can and can't go down their wastewater pipes are encouraged to remember the three p's: pee, poo and (toilet) paper. All other items should be binned, including solidified cooking oils and grease.​