LOWER charges for water and sewerage services came into force this week, but Thames Water customers will see one of the smallest savings.

Average water bills will only fall by £3 in Oxfordshire because households are helping to fund the construction of a ‘super sewer’ in London.

The average water and sewerage bill in England will fall by £9 to £385 for 2015/16 and some home owners will enjoy savings of up to £29. Thames Water is reducing the water supply part of its annual bill by an average of £15 to £197 but the sewerage element will increase by £12 to £171.

The increase in sewerage charge will help fund the Thames Tideway Tunnel being built to cope with the increasing amount of sewerage in the capital.

David Pritchard, of Vetch Place, Blackbird Leys, suffered raw sewerage flooding into his garden in March after pipes became blocked.

He said: “I wouldn’t mind paying the extra if they could guarantee they will clean the pipes more often.”

Householder Andy Webber, of Earl Street, Oxford, said: “It would be so much better if we had a choice of water supplier.

Thames Water spokesman Martin Wells said the company’s bills were still £18 cheaper than the national average.

A review of Oxford’s sewerage system is now being carried out by Thames Water.

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