Soaring water bills are set to hit Sussex residents.

Southern Water customers face a 6.4% rise in their annual charge for water and sewerage from April.

More increases are expected over the next two years.

The average Sussex household will now be facing a £397 bill every year – up 62% on the £244 average ten years ago.

Critics have said families and those already struggling with debt will be hit hardest.

Vicky Watson, manager of the Brighton and Hove Citizen’s Advice Bureau, said: “This is going to have a huge impact.

“We already see a lot of people coming in with water debts and with this level of increase we would expect to see even more.

“People already have the challenges of other bills going up, rocketing food and drink prices and uncertainty over jobs. This is a real leap in price from Southern Water and will make a big difference to people already on the edge.”

Southern’s communications director, Geoff Loader, said: “As well as contributing to our day to day operations, the money from bills is also helping to fund a widespread programmeof service improvements for customers.

“Between 2010 and 2015 this totals £1.7 billion across the region.

“This ensures our customers receive drinking water that is among the best in Europe, helps wastewater treatment works to meet stringent environmental standards and also safeguards water supplies.

“Examples of this include our £300 million scheme to bring cleaner seas to Sussex and a new storage reservoir in Hardham, which will help secure water supplies in times of drought.”

Paul Butler, managing director of South East Water, said: “We believe that an average cost of just 53p per day remains excellent value for money, we do appreciate that some of our customers may be experiencing financial difficulties and so we have measures in place to help those customers facing real hardship.”