The City of Airdrie is launching a campaign to remind residents to refrain from pouring fats, oils and greases down the drain.

While it's common to run hot water while pouring the three substances down, that doesn't prevent it from hardening in the pipes.

Glenn Archer, team lead of Water Services with the City of Airdrie, said it can cause issues.

"It's a significant problem. It's a significant problem in all municipalities. The grease that's a liquid when it leaves the house becomes a solid when it's in the sewer pipes."

Once the fats, oils, or greases harden in the pipes, they cause a build-up and eventually will block the drain, when crews are called in to clean out the pipe.

Last year, the City of Airdrie started the campaign with industrial areas and commercial businesses, and Archer said it went very well.

"The City of Airdrie council approved an industrial monitoring department. They go in and sample businesses and test the quality and then they work with them and educate them and try to get them to improve their waste."

Fats include items like butter, margarine and shortening.

Oils include salad dressings and sauces, while greases include bacon and cooking grease.

Archer added that all the substances can be placed into green carts in order to recycle them for a new use, as opposed to having them chemically treated and wasted

With the campaign being so successful with industrial businesses, the city is hoping to see a significant decrease in the sewer pipes as a result of the campaign.