SOUTH West Water is to invest in a scheme protecting Okehampton customers from sewer flooding.

The water authority has revealed plans to invest almost £160 million in improving its services in 2014-15. £4.4 million is to be spent on schemes protecting customers from sewer flooding across the county, including in Okehampton. £1.1 million will be spent to complete the upgrade of three of South West Water's Dartmoor reservoirs.

South West Water chief executive Chris Loughlin said: 'At a time when household budgets are under pressure, we're pleased to have been able to confirm a price freeze for customers and businesses until April 2015, as well as our proposals to keep average bill rises below inflation to 2020.

'Along with the freeze, customers will continue to benefit  from the £50 Government contribution, so many will see their water bill reduce.

'But a price freeze does not mean an investment holiday for us.

'We're investing £430,000 a day in our infrastructure to improve tap water quality, help the environment and protect people from sewer flooding — especially  as we are experiencing wetter winters.

'We will be investing in protecting customers from sewer flooding across the region and in particular we're pleased to be trialling our 'Downstream Thinking' approach to managing storm water, working with nature to store water and prevent it from overloading our sewers and flooding homes and gardens.'

The year's investment is part of a £700million programme between 2010 and 2015, and more investment is also planned for hydroelectric renewable energy schemes.

In addition to the £50 Government contribution, around 13,000 customers are also forecast to reduce their bills by an average of between £300 and £400, by switching to a water meter this year.

Exact charges paid by customers will vary according to the services they use, their tariff, the amount of water they use or the rateable value of their property.