South West Water pleads guilty over cryptosporidium outbreak in Devon
South West Water has pleaded guilty to supplying water unfit for human consumption following an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis in a Devon seaside town.
A total of 143 people have been confirmed to have contracted waterborne illness, which causes sickness and diarrhoea, after the water supply in Brixham entered the water supply network almost two years ago due to a damaged valve in the network.
Following reports of people falling ill and finding traces of cryptosporidiosis in the water supply, the company told residents in Brixham areas to boil water before use. At the same time, water bottle collections were established throughout the region.
At Exeter Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday the water company pleaded guilty to supplying water unfit for human consumption at the Littlehempston Water Supply District between March 31 and June 1, 2024.
The claim was brought by the Drinking Water Inspectorate, which asked the panel’s chairman to refer the case to the crown court to “send a message that the criminal justice system will treat such cases with the utmost seriousness”.
South West Water chief executive Susan Davy, who stepped down last year following the outbreak, said she was “truly sorry”.
Locals complained about the company’s lack of communication and the knock-on effect the incident had on the town’s tourism.
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He said: “For those in the affected area and our customers in the South West, I am truly sorry for the disruption and wider concern this has caused. Although such incidents are very rare, our customers expect a safe, clean and reliable supply of drinking water.”
The incident was investigated by the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) and the Drinking Water Inspectorate.
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