Welsh Water bills set to increase by 27% from April

Despite the increases, water bills for each household will vary, depending on factors like the size of the house, whether there is a water meter, and how much water is used.

But Mr Williams said the cost of bills had already impacted many people’s budgets.

A survey by CCW found that a quarter of households with a water meter were cutting back on what was considered “essential” water use.

He added that if customers were paying more, water companies “are going to have to improve their performance” in relation to “environmental pollution and leaks being fixed quicker”.

Sam James of Welsh Water said it had not taken the decision to increase bills “lightly” but “if people are worried, we can provide help and we encourage people to get in touch with us”.

Welsh Water plans to spend £2.5b on projects to improve the environment over the next five years.

She said it would make the not-for-profit company’s infrastructure “more resilient” to climate change and would deliver a “really ambitious environmental programme”, protecting rivers and seas.

The latest price increase, Welsh Water said, compares to an industry average hike of 26% and comes after price rises over the last 15 years that were below the rate of inflation.