South West Water admits supplying water unfit for human consumption after parasite outbreak in Devon
Hundreds of people in Brixham fell ill in May 2024 after contamination of the water supply
Last updated 4th Mar 2026
South West Water has admitted supplying water unfit for human consumption after a parasite outbreak in South Devon.
Hundreds of people fell ill and some had to go to hospital after consuming water infected with cryptosporidium, a parasite which causes sickness and diarrhoea.
The outbreak in Brixham in May 2024 meant more around 17,000 households and business had to boil their water.
The notice, instructing them not to use tap water for drinking without boiling and cooling it first, remained in place for eight weeks for some households.
In a hearing at Exeter Magistrates Court today (March 4) South West Water LTD pleaded guilty under s70(1) the Water Industry Act (1991) to supplying water unfit for human consumption.
The water company was prosecuted by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) and faces a fine when it is sentenced on June 2 at the same court.
Howard Leithead, representing the DWI, had asked for the case to be sent to the crown court for sentencing as it is "high-profile or exceptionally sensitive".
"This was an extremely high-profile incident that occurred in 2024," he said.
"Not only was this very high-profile, but this incident affected a significant number of people across a broad geographical area.
"It resulted in an adverse impact on the public confidence in the water supply in this area.
"Its effects were, some of the complaints say, long felt after the lifting of the boil water notices.
"There was, of course, local inconvenience, economic impact, and impact on education throughout this incident.
"Given the high-profile nature of this case, and to ensure that the message is heard loud and clear by local residents that the criminal justice system will treat offences of this nature with the utmost seriousness, we respectfully submit that the crown court would be the most appropriate venue to deal with this case, given the factors identified in our note."
Dominic Kay KC, representing South West Water, said the firm had pleaded guilty at the first instance and had submitted a basis of plea.
He said the case could be sentenced by a district judge in the magistrates' court.
"We would respectfully submit that it isn't a complex case, and certainly not one of such complexity that this court cannot deal with," he said.
"Factually there is not a huge amount between the parties, as I understand, matters.
"The only real bone of contention, as the court has rightly observed, is often the case in these prosecutions, where the case sits on culpability.
"This is precisely the sort of case that district judges should, and we say, do deal with on a very regular basis, and it's not simply in relation to environmental cases."
District Judge Stuart Smith rejected the prosecution submission and said he would retain jurisdiction.
Marcus Rink, Chief Inspector of the Drinking Water Inspectorate, has stated:
“The company’s decision to plead guilty to the offences relating to the Brixham incident reflects the seriousness of the failings identified during our investigation.”
“As sentencing is a matter for the court, it would not be appropriate to comment further on the specific circumstances of the case at this stage.”
“While such incidents are very rare, this incident had a significant impact on the public and the wider community. The court will now decide what the outcome of the failing should be.”
South West Water have issued a "full and unreserved apology" following today's hearing.
The company said in a statement:
"We want to reiterate our full and unreserved apology for the impact of the incident in the Brixham area in 2024.
"We have co-operated fully with the Drinking Water Inspectorate throughout its investigations. Today is another stage of this legal process which we will continue to support."
Water Minister Emma Hardy said:
“Contamination of drinking water is rare - but it is utterly unacceptable.”
“The communities affected by this abhorrent incident in Brixham deserve answers, and today’s guilty plea is a crucial step toward accountability.”
“I thank the DWI for their thorough investigation and for their ongoing work to protect public health and ensure that our drinking water is safe”.