- South West Water has been fined almost £2 million for supplying water contaminated with the cryptosporidium parasite in Brixham, Devon.
- The outbreak led to 143 confirmed cases of illness, with hundreds, including children, experiencing severe sickness and diarrhoea, some requiring hospital treatment.
- Over 16,000 properties in the area were issued boil notices, with some remaining in place for up to 54 days, significantly disrupting residents' lives.
- The contamination is believed to have originated from a Devon farm, entering the water supply through a damaged air valve that had not been properly inspected since 2011, despite company policy.
- South West Water pleaded guilty to an offence under the Water Industry Act 1991, expressing "unreserved apology" and "genuine remorse" for the incident, which cost its owner nearly £40 million.
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