WELSH people are paying too much for water, a Gwent MP has said.

Labour MP for Islwyn Chris Evans has called on the Welsh water regulator Ofwat to take action over what he believes is a monopoly leading to customers paying over the odds.

The average bill combined water and sewerage bill with Welsh Water – which covers most of Wales and parts of western England – is £435 a year, the third highest in the country. In comparison, the annual bill with Severn Trent Water, which includes in its responsibilities parts of Gloucestershire just over the Welsh border, is £329 a year, the lowest in the country.

Prices charged by water suppliers are currently the subject of an inquiry by the UK Government’s Public Accounts Committee, of which Mr Evans is a member.

The Labour and Co-operative MP said: ‘It is extraordinary that someone living as near as Gloucester can have a water bill more than £100 a year cheaper on average than someone in Wales just because they have a different supplier.

“In 2017 business customers can decide to switch supplier, but individuals will not have the same opportunity,” he said.

“Ofwat must do everything in its power to encourage competition in the water industry and make prices fairer.”

A Welsh Water spokesman said its charges are higher than those of other water companies as it serves a very large geographical area with a relatively small population in comparison with most other parts of the UK.

“We therefore have more pipes, sewers and equipment to operate and maintain than other water companies,” he said. “We also have an extensive coastline to protect.

“All of this is reflected in the level of bills charged to customers, which are set by the water industry regulator Ofwat.”

But he said bills had fallen by seven per cent in real terms over the past 15 years and the price increase for the current financial year will be below the rate of inflation for the sixth year running. The company has also committed to keep its average price increases below the rate of inflation until at least 2020.

“Welsh Water is different from other water companies as it does not have shareholder,” he said.

“This means that profits are reinvested in the business to improve services to customers and to keep bills low.”

Last year Welsh Water – which has previously said it will cut 360 jobs over the next five years – reported a £77 million profit and paid chief executive Chris Jones more than £575,000.

Ofwat were contacted for comment but had not responded as this article was published.