South West Water Fined After Residents Fall Ill in Cryptosporidium Outbreak
The Drinking Water Inspectorate said the record penalty followed 537 probable or confirmed cases and boil notices for more than 16,000 properties.
- Exeter Magistrates Court fined South West Water Ltd £1.930m for supplying water unfit for human consumption after a cryptosporidium outbreak in Devon, marking a record penalty for a drinking water offense.
- A damaged air valve at Hillhead Farm allowed the parasite to enter the public mains supply, violating a 2020 recommendation from the Drinking Water Inspectorate to inspect such valves regularly.
- The outbreak caused 537 confirmed or probable cases of cryptosporidiosis, with at least 10 people hospitalized, and authorities issued boil notices to 16,221 properties for up to 54 days.
- Representing South West Water, Dominic Kay offered an "unreserved apology," telling the court the firm wished to record its "genuine remorse," as District Judge Stuart Smith finalized the penalty.
- While owner Pennon faced costs of around £36 million, Liberal Democrat MP for South Devon Caroline Voaden stated the punishment did not reflect the seriousness of the contamination or its public health impact.
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Private water company fined record £2m over hospitalising parasite outbreak
One privately-owned water company has been fined almost £2m after it was found that its water supply was infested with the dangerous parasite cryptosporidium. The outbreak affected Brixham in Devon. The private utility firm was sentenced to this record fine for a drinking water offence at Exeter Magistrates’ Court. The prosecution was brought by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI). The privately-owned firm plead guilty to supplying water unfit…
South West Water fined £1.8m after parasitic contamination of supply
South West Water has been fined £1.85m – a record fine for a drinking water offence – after it admitted to supplying contaminated water, which was unfit for human consumption, to thousands of residents in south Devon. The district judge said the company was guilty of a “serious failure” to protect the public after a parasite entered the water supply through a damaged pipe in May 2024. Some people were left with life-changing illnesses.
perspectivemedia.com
Belfast TelegraphWater company sentenced for supplying water unfit for humans after parasitic outbreak
More than 16,000 homes in the area were issued with boil notices. South West Water Ltd has been fined almost £2 million for supplying water unfit for human consumption after a parasitic outbreak in Devon. The company was prosecuted after the water supply in the Brixham area of Devon was contaminated by cryptosporidium, a parasite which causes sickness and diarrhoea. Exeter Magistrates’ Court heard how hundreds people reported becoming unwell, in…
Evening Standard
South West Water gets record £1.93m fine for drinking water contamination
More than 16,000 homes in the Brixham area were issued with boil notices for up to 54 days.
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