Water firms have been urged to "look closely" at what level of price rises need to be made and introduce special tariffs for struggling households.
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson has written to companies calling on them to recognise people's financial strain.
"Keeping water bills affordable is a crucial way we can help hardworking people," he said.
It comes after regulator Ofwat asked firms to consider whether they need to apply price rises in full next year.
Mr Paterson said: "We are pressing hard to make sure customers get a fair deal by encouraging water companies to look closely at any price increases, introduce social tariffs for vulnerable customers and crack down on bad debt."
'Fair deal'Later this week Ofwat is expected to reject a bid by Thames Water to increase bills by an average of £29 a year in 2014-15.
Unlike gas and electricity, households cannot switch their water supplier.
End Quote Tony Wray Severn Trent WaterIt's right we should do what we can to keep water bills low."
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has said average increases in water and sewerage bills had been in line with inflation since the 2009 price review but had substantially outstripped increases in household income.
A spokesman said: "The government is working across the board to reduce the cost of living and help hardworking households who are feeling the pinch.
"We want to ensure customers get a good deal from the water sector and will be setting out our approach next week."
Labour's shadow environment secretary, Maria Eagle, has called on Mr Cameron to "require water companies to introduce a social tariff to help those who are struggling".
She said Labour would seek to amend the forthcoming Water Bill legislation to "require all water companies to participate in a national affordability scheme and review whether there is a need for a tougher regulatory regime". Party leader Ed Miliband is expected to repeat the call for a special tariff in a speech later on Tuesday.
Severn Trent Water chief executive Tony Wray said: "We know that many of our customers' incomes have been squeezed and it's right we should do what we can to keep water bills low.
"We're proud to have the lowest average bills in the country and will be keeping any rises to below the rate of inflation next year.
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