Press Release
19 May 2008
THREE VALLEYS WATER PLEADS GUILTY TO CHARGE OF
SUPPLYING WATER UNFIT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION
Three Valleys Water pleaded guilty on Monday 19th May 2008 to supplying water unfit for human consumption at St Albans Magistrate’s Court. The incident involved the supply of untreated water to three properties in the Colney Heath area.
The charges were brought under Section 70 of the Water Industry Act 1991 .
The Company was fined £ 6,000 on each of two specimen counts (total £12,000) and
ordered to pay £ 7,610.30 towards prosecution costs.
Notes to 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 in
February 2006 involving the supply of untreated water containing consumers in the Colney
Heath area.
- In February 2006 new connections were made to three properties in Colney Heath. Two of
the properties were subsequently occupies in July and September 2006. Occupants complained
about their water and investigation led to the finding that the connection had been made
to a mains pipe containing untreated water. The mains pipe chosen for the new connections
had previously had a role in carrying treated water but its use had changed to carrying
untreated water in 1997. When, in 2006, the decision was made as to which main should be
used to make the new connections, company records did not identify the change of use and
so it was thought that the main carried treated water. Consumers received water that was
bacteriologically unsatisfactory and discoloured. Following complaints from a consumer
regarding their water quality, the supply was disconnected in November 2006 and connection
made to a main carrying treated water.
- 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 270 3370