Press Release
20 June 2007
SOUTH WEST WATER PLEADS
GUILTY TO CHARGE OF SUPPLYING WATER UNFIT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION
South
West Water pleaded guilty on Wednesday 20th June 2007 to supplying water unfit
for human consumption at Honiton Magistrate’s Court. The incident involved the supply
of drinking water containing diesel to consumers in the
The
charges were brought under Section 70 of the Water Industry Act 1991 . In response to the
verdict, Professor Jeni Colbourne, Chief Inspector of Drinking Water, said:
“The
outcome of this case confirms that South West Water failed in its basic duty to ensure
drinking water is fit for consumption at all times. Consumers can be assured that DWI will
always investigate and act on their behalf. It is very disappointing when our independent
investigation demonstrates that prosecution is necessary to prevent repetition of errors
or omissions by the company”.
The Company was fined £ 5,000 on each of four specimen counts (total
£20,000) and ordered to pay £11,875.10 toward prosecution costs. The Inspectorate will
make the results of its investigation publicly available in due course.
Notes for Editors
- Section 70 of the Water
Industry Act 1991 makes it criminal offence for a water company to supply water which is
unfit for human consumption. DWI investigates all drinking water quality incidents and
since the Water Act 2003 can take forward prosecutions in the name of the Chief Inspector
of Drinking Water. Prosecutions are taken forward where there is reliable evidence that
water unfit for human consumption was supplied, where the company does not have a defence
that it took all reasonable steps and exercised all due diligence, and when such a
prosecution is regarded as being in the public interest.
- The prosecution
follows an investigation by DWI into an incident that occurred on 5 February 2006
involving the supply of water containing diesel to consumers in the Pennsylvania, Beacon
Heath and Stoke Hill areas of Exeter. Diesel was introduced into the system at Belvidere
service reservoir on 3 February 2006, although then took several days to enter the water
supply, and arose following the connection of a drum containing diesel to the booster
chlorination unit on the reservoir outlet. This drum of diesel most likely originated from
the Company’s depot at Exewater where it had been used for the transport and storage
of red diesel although, being still clearly marked as containing hypochlorite (chlorine
solution) and appearing new and unopened, it was then mistaken for hypochlorite. No
malicious intent was ever suspected on behalf of any individual. However, the incident was
significant and widespread, affecting water supplies to potentially 6,250 consumers. South
West Water received nearly 2,400 calls from consumers during the incident. Many consumers
in the affected area experienced and objectionable taste or odour in their water and
rejected it for drinking, washing and food preparation purposes.
- The Drinking Water Inspectorate
was set up in January 1990. Its main task is to check that water companies in England and
Wales supply wholesome drinking water and in doing so comply with the requirements of the
Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2000 (England) and Water Supply (Water Quality)
Regulations 2001(Wales)
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF DWI BY
GNN.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Sue
Pennison
Drinking Water Inspectorate
DWI Enquiries : 0207 082 8024
Mobile : 07747 455882