Water company admits ‘parasitic outbreak’ that gave hundreds the runs

The outbreak left some in hospital from sickness (Picture: Getty)

A water company has admitted supplying water unfit for human consumption after a parasitic outbreak in Devon.

South West Water Ltd has pleaded guilty to supplying water unfit for human consumption during a hearing at Exeter Magistrates’ Court.

The May 2024 outbreak left some people in hospital and hundreds of others ill after contamination of the water supply by cryptosporidium, a parasite which causes sickness and diarrhoea.