Water firm says it will not pass on parasite fine

A water company has said its customers will not be forking out through their bills if it is fined for supplying water unfit for human consumption after a parasitic outbreak.

South West Water, which admitted the offence at Exeter Magistrates Court on Wednesday, faces an unlimited fine when it returns for sentencing on 2 June.

Four people were admitted to hospital and more than 140 cases of cryptosporidium were confirmed in and around Brixham, Devon, in May 2024.

A spokesperson for the water firm said "customers do not pay for fines" and the Drinking Water Inspectorate, which brought the case, said a fine would come out of profit and dividends to shareholders.

Cryptosporidium is a tiny organism that causes an illness in people and some animals, said the UK Health Security Agency.

The first confirmed cases of people affected by the water parasite outbreak were confirmed by the agency on 14 May 2024.

The utility told customers the water was safe to drink at that time but the next day confirmed traces of cryptosporidium were found in the supply network and the company issued a boil water notice to about 16,000 homes and businesses in and around Brixham.

Residents were supplied with bottled water after the outbreak, which was later traced to a damaged air valve on private land.

The Pennon Group, which owns the utility, said the parasite outbreak contributed to a nearly £40m bill for the company.

Customers who were affected by the boil water notice, and those who were unwell, were offered compensation by South West Water.

Lisa Horswill, who was among those affected, said the conviction of the water company was "bittersweet because it's been really unpleasant for some of us trying to fight for justice".

"The fines are only going to be passed on to us and that's not right," she said.

Her partner Kris said any fine "would not be enough".

A South West Water spokesperson said: "We can confirm customers do not pay for fines."

The inspectorate said the fine was "unlimited under the legislation, however, it will be up to the judge to determine the most appropriate fine".

South West Water said after the hearing: "We want to reiterate our full and unreserved apology for the impact of the incident in the Brixham area in 2024.

"We have co-operated fully with the Drinking Water Inspectorate throughout its investigations.

"Today is another stage of this legal process which we will continue to support."

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