South West Water has entered a guilty plea following the court hearing on 4 March at Exeter Magistrates’ Court in relation to the Cryptosporidiosis outbreak event in the Brixham area in 2024 when Cryptosporidium was detected in the drinking water supply.
The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) announced at the end of September last year that a court summons had been issued to South West Water for prosecution for potential offences under section 70(1) of the Water Industry Act 1991.
The court hearing was originally scheduled to take place on 21 November 2025. The DWI subsequently announced on 12 December that the hearing would take place on 4 March 2026 at 2 pm.
The sentencing hearing is now listed on 2 June 2026 before Exeter Magistrates’ Court.
Commenting on South West Water’s guiilty plea, Marcus Rink, Chief Inspector of the Drinking Water Inspectorate, said:
“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.”
Due to the ongoing criminal proceedings ongoing, the Inspectorate will not be able to make any further comment or share any information which could prejudice the proceedings.
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