Image description: a person in a grey jumper filling up a glass of water from a tap. Photo by SHTTEFAN on Unsplash

South West Water (SWW) has pleaded guilty to supplying water unfit for human consumption after a parasitic outbreak in Devon left about 17,000 households and businesses issued with a ‘boil water’ notice last year.

The prosecution was brought by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) after the incident left four people hospitalised and more than 140 confirmed cases of cryptosporidium in and around Brixham, Devon, in May 2024.

The outbreak occurred in the run-up to the May Bank Holiday and consequently led to a significant impact on the local tourism economy.

SWW, which admitted the offence, contrary to the Water Industry Act 1991, at Exeter Magistrates’ Court, said it offered a “full and unreserved apology for the impact of the incident”.

Previously, SWW said it believed a damaged air valve on private land was the cause for the outbreak. 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 SWW. The DWI asked for the case to be sent to Crown court for sentencing as it was “high-profile or exceptionally sensitive”, and a Crown court could hand down stiffer penalties.

Lawyers for SWW said the utility pleaded guilty at the first instance and it was not a complex case that the magistrates’ court could not deal with.

The firm now faces being fined when sentenced at the magistrates’ court on 2 June.