South West Water: Cryptosporidium outbreak is appalling admission of failure

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South West Water: Cryptosporidium outbreak is appalling admission of failure

Following South West Water pleading guilty to supplying water 'unfit for human consumption' after a Cryptosporidium outbreak in Brixham, Devon in 2024 that left 143 people sick, Liberal Democrat Environment and Rural Affairs Spokesperson Tim Farron MP said: 

“This is an appalling admission of failure from South West Water and a betrayal of public trust. This should never have been allowed to happen.

“Bosses at South West Water have prioritised profits over people for far too long. The era of water firms marking their own homework must end.

"Liberal Democrats are calling for every penny of the fines paid by South West Water to be reinvested directly back into the local area. This money belongs to the communities that suffered.

“We need a change in ownership model so that companies become mutually owned by customers and employees, and regulated by a much stronger, unified regulator.”

Liberal Democrat MP for South Devon, Caroline Voaden, added: 

“A year ago, South West Water’s CEO claimed customers were a priority - today, the company pleaded guilty to supplying water totally unfit for human consumption.

"While this admission is long overdue, this tragedy simply should never have happened.

"I want to thank the DWI and the tireless campaigners who kept this crisis in the spotlight. One this is now beyond clear - we need faster, tougher regulation to hold these companies properly to account.”

ENDS