South West Water Faces Legal Action Over Devon Parasite Outbreak

South West Water is facing legal action following a cryptosporidium outbreak that contaminated the water supply in parts of Devon last summer. The incident resulted in over 140 confirmed cases of illness, characterized by symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach pain, and vomiting, typically lasting around two weeks. At least four individuals required hospitalization due to the severity of their symptoms.

The outbreak led to significant public health concerns, prompting the water company to issue a warning to approximately 16,000 households and businesses in the Brixham area. Residents were advised to boil their tap water before consumption to mitigate health risks. Investigations revealed that a water tank at the Hillhead reservoir had tested positive for the parasite, causing widespread disruption in the community.

Legal Proceedings Initiated

In response to the incident, the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) has issued a summons to South West Water for prosecution under section 70(1) of the Water Industry Act 1991. This legislation makes it a criminal offense for a water supplier to provide water that is unfit for human consumption.

Marcus Rink, the chief inspector of the DWI, stated, “The Brixham incident was serious with significant impact on the public and the wider community. Accordingly, I consider it appropriate to pass the matter to the court to consider the evidence in the public interest.”

The legal action comes after a lengthy investigation into the events surrounding the outbreak, during which many residents expressed distrust toward the water supply.

Community Impact and Response

Local MP Caroline Voaden of the Liberal Democrats has welcomed the DWI’s decision to pursue legal action. She expressed concern over the ongoing impact of the outbreak, stating, “Many of my constituents still don’t trust the drinking water and are paying for bottled water more than a year on from the outbreak. This incident affected the whole community, damaged businesses, hurt the local economy and, most importantly, made many people severely ill.”

Voaden emphasized the need for transparency regarding what South West Water knew about the water’s safety and when they communicated this information to the public. She described the decision to prosecute as a crucial step towards accountability for the company.

In response to the legal proceedings, a spokesperson for South West Water remarked, “We will reflect on this summons. South West Water has cooperated fully with the Drinking Water Inspectorate from the outset of this incident to help in its investigations.” The spokesperson added that the company takes this situation seriously and will continue to engage with the legal process.

“We remain focused on delivering clean, safe drinking water to our 2 million customers across Cornwall, Devon, and the Isles of Scilly,” they concluded.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the community in Brixham continues to grapple with the repercussions of the outbreak, highlighting the importance of water safety and transparency in public health matters.