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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Helena Horton Environment reporter

Only three water company prosecutions in England and Wales for unfit drinking supply

A woman carrying a surfboard that reads 'Sick of sewage' walks along a beach as people surf in the background
A Surfers Against Sewage protester in Falmouth last month. Photograph: Anthony Upton/PA Media Assignments/PA

The drinking water regulator for England and Wales has brought only three prosecutions against water companies for providing poor quality water since 2021, despite 362 instances in which water was flagged as being unfit for human consumption.

Periodically, members of the public or companies have informed the Drinking Water Inspectorate about water that has not been not safe for human consumption. In those instances, the DWI can issue legal instruments that require companies to put in place a package of measures.

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