South West Water says it wants to replace ageing pipes

Consumers have expressed anger at the beginning of the public consultation by South West Water (SWW) on plans to raise bills.

The average household bill in the South West is �334 a year, the highest in England.

But under current plans, bills would rise to �407 by 2009.

Watchdog group Watervoice has just held its first meeting for people to give their views.

Noel Olsen of Watervoice said: "Unaffordable prices and rising debt are things that politicians do hear and I do think that they impinge on prices."

SWW says it needs to fund a programme of replacing old and unreliable pipes and to pay for water quality improvements to rivers and the sea.

Keith Richards, head of regulation at SWW, said: "Affordability for customers has been absolutely central to us in putting our business plan proposals.

"But we have to accommodate new environmental improvements and it as much our concern as customers that bills are going to be affordable in the future."