RAW sewage has engulfed the gardens and entrances to flats for a second time in a week.

Residents of homes in College Lane, Littlemore, say the foul waste was ‘pumping’ up from the drains.

Thames Water, responsible for the drains, was called out to clear a blockage last week.

But its drainage workers were back again on Sunday after more complaints about the foul waste.

Now the water authority says it will investigate to see if there is an underlying problem with the drains.

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But it also reminded residents not to dump waste like ‘wet wipes’ down their toilets or cooking fat down sinks.

Resident Maureen Bradley, 55, said: “It was raw sewage pumping up from the drains.

“It was gruesome and it was right outside my front door.

“There were all sorts of things floating around. Anything that you’d flush down the toilet.”

The domestic services manager at RAF Brize Norton, who lives with her partner Nick Langridge in the flats, added: “We had this about two or three years ago before Thames Water came and stopped it.

“It was exactly the same, raw sewage coming up through the drains. But this is the second time in a week.

It stank to high heaven.”

Chris Bamber, who has lived in the flats for 17 years, said: “It was coming right up to the doorways. There was a flood in the car park.

“We had to really moan to Thames Water because they had not really cleared it up properly after last Wednesday’s leak. Before this week it happened once before but I do not know when that was.”

The sewage flowed up to the doors of several flats and partly flooded some gardens, although it did not seep into any of the flats.

Littlemore councillor Gill Sanders wants people to contact Thames Water immediately if they have concerns.

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Gill Sanders.

She said: “I hope people would contact the appropriate authority if they have a problem.

“I would also ask them to get in touch with their councillors because if we know about it we can try to help.

“There is nothing more unpleasant than this sort of thing happening.”

Thames Water spokesman Martin Wells said the company spent about £12m a year clearing blockages like the one in Littlemore.

He said: “We’ve cleared a second blockage and thoroughly cleaned up the area after similar problems last week, which were also caused by a build-up of cooking fat and wet wipes.

“Only human waste and toilet paper should ever go down the toilet.

“But we will fully inspect this stretch of sewer and send down a CCTV camera to check if there are any underlying issues that may need further attention.”