South West Water faces an unlimited fine after admitting it supplied water contaminated with a harmful parasite to thousands of homes in Devon, making numerous people ill and eroding public trust.

South West Water admitted at Exeter Magistrates Court to supplying cryptosporidium-contaminated water to ~17,000 households in Brixham, South Devon between March 31 and June 1, 2024, resulting in 143 confirmed infections, 10 hospitalisations, and an unlimited fine being pursued by the Drinking Water Inspectorate due to a faulty air valve at Hillhead Reservoir.