After years of overflowing sewers and sewage dumped in scenic water ways, residents across the region say they are “disgusted” with Thames Water’s plans to hike water bills – which may ignite new protests over the issue.

Britain's biggest supplier had initially sought a 44 per cent rise to bills across the five-year period to 2030 - but was it is now proposing a 52 per cent increase.

That would place the average bill at around £696, if the firm is given extra spending allowances by the regulator Ofwat.

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The company says the extra money is needed for investment in the sewer network and other improvements.

But the announcement has been met with outrage from communities who have spent months – and in some cases, years – dealing with sewage discharges from Thames Water. 

“Personally, I though it was a joke," said Carol Kennedy who has lived in Thames Valley for more than 15 years.

"It’s ridiculous. They have these shareholders they are paying all this money to."

Ms Kennedy and other residents are also concerned about sewage being discharged – a concern that is echoed by communities across the region.

Regarding the planned bill hike, Robert Gill, a parish councillor, said his reaction wandered “between disbelief and disgust.”

He said: “I like to take a balanced view – I know that these companies need investment to upgrade these systems. But they have had money since the 70s and its obviously not gone into the works that need to be done.

“I want to know for sure that it’s not going back in to investors pockets.”

He added: “I think people are up for some form of protest or going into London to join the protest Feargal Sharkey is setting up in October.

“The rules need to be tightened up. Government needs to step up.”

Conservationist Feargal Sharkey is helping to organise a march through central London to Parliament Square to highlight water pollution on Saturday, October 26.

Chris Weston, chief executive of Thames Water, said customers' money will be “invested in new infrastructure” and improving services for the benefit of households and the environment. 

He said: “They are not being asked to pay twice, but to make up for years of focus on keeping bills low.”

“In parallel, we are increasing our support to bill payers by introducing an improved social tariff for those struggling to pay, increasing by nearly 70 per cent the number of those who will benefit from this support, to 647,000 households.”

Thames Water is also in the grip of a funding crisis and has more than £15 billion of debt, casting uncertainty over its future.

It said in July that it only has enough money to continue trading until the end of May 2025.

Bosses are scrambling to secure a major cash injection to keep it afloat, and have held talks with both existing shareholders and outside investors.