BBC News | A fine of £1.42 million has been imposed on Anglian Water after flakes and powder entered people’s drinking water.
About 1.3 million people in the East of England were affected by contamination between June and December 2021. Anglian Water admitted five offences under the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 and was sentenced at Northampton Crown Court.
The Drinking Water Inspectorate found the company had poor supply-chain oversight and lacked staff training, repeatedly using unapproved plastic coatings in tanks that later disintegrated into the water supply. All issues have since been rectified.
Inspector Marcus Rink said public health and drinking water quality must be the highest priority, and the record fine sends a clear signal that such behaviour is unacceptable.
An Anglian Water spokeswoman apologised and confirmed significant investments have been made to prevent recurrence.
