Statement from the Chief Inspector of Drinking Water – May 2024
The Drinking Water Inspectorate was notified of the contamination of drinking water supplies in Brixham, in Devon, by South West Water, and we are continuing to investigate the actions taken by the water company. South West Water is working to return the water supply to normal using rigorous testing to provide assurance, and the Inspectorate will continue to scrutinise this information. During this period the company will continue to liaise with local health authorities to provide advice to protect consumers, as well as providing alternative supplies of bottled water.
Consumers should follow the company’s advice to boil water if they are within the affected area, and should contact South West Water if they require further information.
This incident has clearly been a very unpleasant experience for those people who have been ill as well as being inconvenient for those affected. It will naturally have led to concern for customers and those local businesses impacted. Overall, the UK has some of the best drinking water in the world, but in order to keep it that way it is important that the right lessons are learned for the future. This is why the Drinking Water Inspectorate is leading a thorough investigation, examining evidence from the company and the local community, and has powers to ensure those responsible are held to account.
Incidences associated with Cryptosporidium in the water supply are thankfully rare, the last being nine years ago and this was an isolated incident. Drinking water is protected at several stages to ensure it is the highest quality, which includes careful monitoring of source water abstractions, the removal of chemical and microbiological impurities, and this is combined with high water treatment standards to ensure it is suitable for consumption.
Companies adopt a water safety plan approach, in line with the World Health Organisation’s recommendations. This approach assesses the risks to drinking water at every stage, from source to tap, and addresses those risks before they become a problem and before there is any impact on consumers. Nevertheless, drinking water quality is verified by extensive compliance and operational sampling at all stages of treatment and distribution, including at the consumers’ tap. Compliance with the stringent regulatory standards is consistently high, with a rate of 99.97% compliance from nearly four million tests. The UK is one of only six nations in the world with the maximum score possible in the 2022 Environmental Performance Index (Yale University).
Where there are issues with the water treatment and supply systems, companies must notify the Inspectorate of any event which impacts, or has potential to impact, customers. The Inspectorate assesses every event and takes enforcement action as appropriate to address the risks and to prevent recurrence. It has powers to compel improvement works and, in serious cases, prosecute. Further information about drinking water quality is available on the DWI website, in the annual report, and in the consumer leaflets, together with our research, long term planning advice for companies, and enforcement policies.