SWW admits parasite scandal guilt but questions about who really pays fine

OUTH Devon MP Caroline Voaden has welcomed South West Water’s admission that it supplied water unfit for human consumption during the cryptosporidium outbreak in Brixham.

- by PAUL GREAVES

More than 100 cases of illness were reported by residents in the town in May 2024. Four people were admitted to hospital as a result.

At court in Exeter last Wednesday SWW admitted a criminal offence of supplying water that was unfit for human consumption. It now faces a large fine.

Ms Voaden, Water Minister Emma Hardy and the water quality regulator have all said it is a step towards accountability. SWW has issued a “full and unreserved apology”

Caroline Voaden said: “This time last year, the former South West Water CEO claimed customers were among the company’s top priorities. Today, they have pleaded guilty to supplying water unfit for human consumption.

“This admission of guilt has been along time coming. Iam glad SWW has owned up to its serious failures. This awful event should never have happened”

She said there was a “mismatch’ between rhetoric and action that ‘plagues our broken water industry”

“Whether it is protecting customers or the environment, too many water firms say one thing, then do another,’ she said.