A six-mile long, circular water pipe that supplies 12 million litres of water a day to Bicester residents, is to be extended to boost pressure and cope with the town's future growth.
The 'Bicester Ring Main', which roughly follows the town's main roads, was built in stages during the 1980s and 90s as the town was developed.
Thames Water is building a £700,000, one-mile extension to the pipe, joining up both ends to form a complete circle under the town.
Andy Popple, Bicester Ring Main Project Manager, said:
"Right now the Bicester Ring main is more of a horseshoe. This work will make sure it really is a ring. It will be Bicester's M25 for water.
"Providing water is an essential service, so it is vital that we plan and invest in our network to not only maintain services to current customers, but also for future generations of the town.
"This new section of pipe will enable us to boost pressure to our existing customers, give us greater control of transferring water around the town and ensure we can provide water to new customers when the town grows.
"As with any work of this nature, there may be some disruption but we will do everything possible to minimise it."
The work is expected to start towards the end of September, taking approximately six weeks. The project is part of the company's £5bn investment across London and the Thames Valley between 2010 and 2015.
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