Customers of United Utilities can expect hefty water bill hikes of over £100 over the next five years if Ofwat gives the go-ahead in August.

Many other areas can expect massive increases too. Seven Trent says it needs average bills to go up by £57 and Anglican Water is expecting to increase average bills by £47.

Water companies have asked for large increases to pay for infrastructure improvements, some of which are claimed to be essential maintenance. But large amounts of cash are also needed to fund government targets designed to improve drinking water quality.

The industry regulator Ofwat will consider the plans this August before making draft decisions about what the privatised regional water companies can charge. The first rises will start to hit households next year.

WaterVoice, which provides an independent voice for customers said: "The planned increases announced today are neither affordable nor acceptable.”

“Price rises on this scale will risk worsening the industry's mounting debt problems and drive thousands of customers into debt for the first time. It is going to be even worse in some regions where the rises will be substantially above the national average.”

Pamela Taylor, Chief Executive of Water UK, said, “There will always be different views on the development of essential services, but we have an opportunity now to build on the many successes of recent years. These plans are good value for money and will make a growing contribution to a healthy economy and environment in England and Wales in the years ahead.”