A water company has acknowledged providing water contaminated with parasites to households, causing sickness among hundreds of individuals, with some requiring hospitalization. This incident, described as “awful” by an MP, led to South West Water Ltd admitting to breaching the Water Industry Act 1991 by supplying water not suitable for human consumption at a court hearing in Exeter.

The company faced charges from the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) following an episode in 2024 in and around Brixham, Devon, where four people were hospitalized, and over 140 cases of cryptosporidium infection were confirmed. Approximately 17,000 properties and businesses in the region were issued with a “boil water” notice, some lasting up to eight weeks, as the incident gained significant attention.

Howard Leithead of the DWI urged for the case to be elevated to the crown court due to its high-profile and sensitive nature, impacting a large number of people and affecting public trust in the water supply. However, Dominic Kay KC, representing South West Water, argued that the case could be handled by a district judge in the magistrates’ court, emphasizing its manageable complexity.

Despite the prosecution’s suggestion, District Judge Stuart Smith decided to retain jurisdiction over the case. South West Water’s owner, Pennon, disclosed that the total cost of the outbreak reached nearly £40 million, with expenses of around £36 million attributed to the contamination incident and associated programs.

Following the court proceedings, Caroline Voaden, Liberal Democrat MP for South Devon, expressed satisfaction at the company’s admission of guilt and highlighted the industry’s need for stronger regulation and accountability. Marcus Rink, chief inspector of the Drinking Water Inspectorate, emphasized the seriousness of the company’s failings, while Water minister Emma Hardy underscored the importance of accountability in addressing such incidents of water contamination.