A major utility company has admitted supplying water unfit for human consumption after a parasite outbreak in Devon made almost 150 people sick.
South West Water (SWW) pleaded guilty to the criminal offence relating to the cryptosporidiosis outbreak in Brixham, Devon, which affected 2,500 homes.
Almost 150 cases of illness were confirmed in spring 2024, with some people needing hospital treatment, and many residents say the impacts of the outbreak are still being felt.
During an hour-long hearing at Exeter magistrates court, the company pleaded guilty to an offence under the Water Industry Act 1991. It will be sentenced in June and faces a fine of hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Joe Millington, representing the Drinking Water Inspectorate, which brought the prosecution, said it was an “extremely high-profile” incident. He said: “This affected a significant number of people across a broad geographical area and resulted in an adverse impact on the public confidence in the water supply. Its effects were long felt. There was local inconvenience, economic impact and impact on education.”
The outbreak was traced to a water tank at a reservoir, though the court was told there remained an issue over exactly how it happened.
Speaking after the guilty plea, residents said some people still had health issues almost two years on. Jen Watts said her 10-year-old son developed avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder after becoming ill in the outbreak. He spent four days in hospital and Watts said he was still struggling with his health.
She said: “I’m relieved that they have pleaded guilty. I hope that the sentencing is strong and severe and sends a very clear message to all water companies that it’s not acceptable or tolerated and they take into account the devastating and ongoing harm that this has caused to innocent people like my son and many others.”
Lisa Horswill said she continued to experience pain and bloating that she blamed on the outbreak. “I am still suffering,” she said.
Another resident, Tanya Mitchell, said: “If I turn a tap on I check to smell any odour or see how cloudy it is.”
The law firm Irwin Mitchell said it represented a group of people aged between eight and 60 who were affected. Jatinder Paul, a public health lawyer at the firm, said: “Cryptosporidium can have devastating and long-lasting consequences for the most vulnerable in society, such as the elderly and children.
“While it’s approaching two years since the outbreak, those we represent continue to be greatly affected. Some have gone on to experience conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, while some still suffer with the psychological impact.”
The UK water minister, Emma Hardy, said water contamination was rare but utterly unacceptable. She said: “The communities affected by this abhorrent incident in Brixham deserve answers, and today’s guilty plea is a crucial step toward accountability.”
Caroline Voaden, the Lib Dem MP for South Devon, said: “This admission of guilt has been a long time coming. I am glad that SWW have owned up to their serious failures. This awful event should never have happened.”
Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that can cause cryptosporidiosis, an unpleasant and sometimes dangerous illness. Symptoms include severe watery diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach cramps, nausea, fever and loss of appetite.
SWW said: “We want to reiterate our full and unreserved apology for the impact of the incident in the Brixham area. We have cooperated fully with the Drinking Water Inspectorate throughout its investigations. Today is another stage of this legal process which we will continue to support.”
