South West Water has been fined £1.85 million after supplying contaminated drinking water during a major cryptosporidium outbreak in Brixham that left hundreds of people ill in 2024.
The outbreak, caused by the microscopic parasite cryptosporidium, affected thousands of homes and businesses across the area. Residents reported severe symptoms including stomach cramps, diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and headaches, with some requiring hospital treatment. The incident also disrupted schools, local services and tourism, while damaging public confidence in the area's water supply.
Many residents remain reluctant to drink tap water, despite the outbreak occurring two years ago. During the crisis, bottled water stations were established and boil-water notices remained in place for several weeks.
At a sentencing hearing in Exeter on Tuesday, June 2, South West Water repeated its “unreserved apology” to customers and admitted supplying water unfit for human consumption between March 31 and July 1, 2024.
The company accepted responsibility for a damaged air valve located in a farmer's field where cattle had been grazing. Following repairs to the valve, reported cases of illness began to decline.
The court heard that South West Water had failed to implement a risk-based inspection policy drafted in 2020, despite being aware of the contamination risks associated with faulty air valves.
District Judge Stuart Smith described the incident as a “systemic failure of governance within the organisation.” In addition to the fine, the company was ordered to pay costs, bringing the total financial penalty to £1.93 million.
Judge Smith said the impact on the community had been “multi-layered and profound.” More than 16,000 properties were affected, and boil-water notices remained in force for eight weeks. He noted that residents suffered not only physical illness but also significant emotional and psychological distress.
The outbreak was concentrated in the Hillhead and Alston areas, although affected water supplies extended to Kingswear and parts of Paignton.
Joseph Millington, prosecuting on behalf of the Drinking Water Inspectorate, told the court that the first signs of the outbreak emerged on May 10, 2024, when five cases were reported at Torbay Hospital. As the number of cases increased, South West Water worked to identify the source of contamination.
On May 15, a technician discovered a damaged air valve in a field at Hillhead. Water was found bubbling to the surface around the valve, which should have been protected by a cover and chamber that had been removed. The surrounding area was heavily contaminated with mud, and testing confirmed the presence of cryptosporidium in the soil.
The faulty valve was replaced that same day. Investigators later identified a second potential source of contamination linked to an illegal cross-connection within the farmyard.
The court heard that South West Water had long recognised the contamination risks posed by air valves but had failed to introduce the inspection regime recommended in its own 2020 risk assessment policy.
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