Wessex Water Services Limited fined for drinking water offence

June 20, 2023

At Swindon Magistrates’ court, Wessex Water Services Limited was fined £280,000 plus a £190 victim surcharge. Costs of £21,656.60 were agreed out of court.

During a three-week period from the end of March 2021 consumers in the Amesbury area of Wiltshire complained of an unacceptable taste to their tap water which made the water undrinkable. The cause for the objectionable taste was due to the company failing to undertake the required checks on the carbon filter which, if completed, would have identified the presence of iodinated organic compounds leaving the treatment works.

Wessex Water Services Limited pleaded guilty to an offence under section 70 of the Water Industry Act 1991 for the supply of water unfit for human consumption. The Inspectorate was critical that the company did not correctly follow their own internal testing procedures which would have identified the presence of the taste causing compounds. There were some issues reported with the communication given to consumers and provision of alternative water supplies.

In response, Marcus Rink, Chief Inspector of Drinking Water said: “Consumers experienced water with an unpleasant taste which would not have happened had the required checks been carried out on the carbon filter before it was brought into use. This prosecution acts as a reminder to companies that a water quality first approach must be taken when providing a service to the public. I am content that the court has recognised the seriousness of this event.”

This is valid as of 20th June 2023.

At Swindon Magistrates’ court, Wessex Water Services Limited was fined £280,000 plus a £190 victim surcharge. Costs of £21,656.60 were agreed out of court.
During a three-week period from the end of March 2021 consumers in the Amesbury area of Wiltshire complained of an unacceptable taste to their tap water which made the water undrinkable. The cause for the objectionable taste was due to the company failing to undertake the required checks on the carbon filter which, if completed, would have identified the presence of iodinated organic compounds leaving the treatment works. Wessex Water Services Limited pleaded guilty to an offence under section 70 of the Water Industry Act 1991 for the supply of water unfit for human consumption. The Inspectorate was critical that the company did not correctly follow their own internal testing procedures which would have identified the presence of the taste causing compounds. There were some issues reported with the communication given to consumers and provision of alternative water supplies. In response, Marcus Rink, Chief Inspector of Drinking Water said: “Consumers experienced water with an unpleasant taste which would not have happened had the required checks been carried out on the carbon filter before it was brought into use. This prosecution acts as a reminder to companies that a water quality first approach must be taken when providing a service to the public. I am content that the court has recognised the seriousness of this event.”

This is valid as of 20th June 2023.

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