South West Water (SWW) has pleaded guilty to supplying water unfit for human consumption after a cryptosporidiosis outbreak in Brixham, Devon, sickened nearly 150 people in spring 2024. The outbreak affected 2,500 homes, with some requiring hospital treatment.
At Exeter Magistrates' Court, the company admitted an offence under the Water Industry Act 1991. Sentencing is set for June, with a potential fine of hundreds of thousands of pounds. The Drinking Water Inspectorate brought the prosecution, describing the incident as 'extremely high-profile'.
The outbreak was traced to a water tank at a reservoir, though the exact cause remains unclear. Residents report ongoing health issues, including a 10-year-old boy who developed avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder after spending four days in hospital. Others suffer from irritable bowel syndrome and psychological impacts.
Water Minister Emma Hardy called the contamination 'utterly unacceptable', while Liberal Democrat MP Caroline Voaden welcomed the guilty plea as a step toward accountability. SWW reiterated its 'full and unreserved apology' and pledged continued cooperation with the investigation.
