Devon councillors considering legal action over ongoing water quality issues

It follows water concerns, including last year’s cryptosporidium outbreak in Brixham, and a number of sewage discharges across the county. Credit: ITV News

Devon County Council is looking into whether it could take legal action, to ensure the county's water is safe and reliable, after being "let down" by authorities.

It says it wants to see if it can lawfully play a role alongside national regulators to support the protection of public health and the environment.

The announcement follows water concerns, including 2024's cryptosporidium outbreak in Brixham and a number of sewage discharges across the county.

The Government, the Environment Agency and the water regulator have been contacted for comment.

South West Water says it’s investing millions of pounds to improve water quality and says the latest data shows its plan is working, although it acknowledges more needs to be done.

The company was fined £1.9million after admitting supplying water that was unfit for human consumption in South Devon.

A total of 537 people were left unwell and 10 were taken to hospital after the water supply was contaminated with the parasite cryptosporidium in Brixham in May 2024.

Around 16,000 homes and businesses in Brixham, Kingswear and Paignton - a population of almost 39,000 people - were told to boil their water. The notice was not lifted until July 2024.

Council leader Julian Brazil told ITV News West Country: "We feel very let down by government and Westminster, by the regulator and by the Environment Agency and of course the water company.

"So rather than just sit back and do nothing, we feel we've got to step up and try and make sure the people of Devon are listened to."

In a statement, he added: “Enough is enough. We have been let down for too long.“Residents rightly expect safe and reliable water services. We are carefully considering what role, if any, the council can lawfully play alongside national regulators to support the protection of public health and the environment.“The only way to ensure water company executives act is to hit them in the pocket by attaching a surcharge for fines to their already inflated salaries and bonuses.“Executives should also be subject to the full force of the law.“Any action would be subject to detailed legal advice and the evidential thresholds required for formal proceedings. The council will continue to work constructively with partners while ensuring that residents’ concerns are properly addressed.”

Thousands of families in Brixham were told to boil their water and water stations were set up throughout the town.

A South West Water spokesperson told ITV News: "We recognise concerns about water quality in Devon and we continue to work proactively with councils to discuss our local plans and deliver improvements.

"We’re investing £760 million to tackle storm overflows and have reduced spills by 17% in the last year, with spill duration down by 25%. We know there is more to do but the data shows the plan is working.

"We are looking forward to the opportunity to discuss our multi-million-pound plans to improve water quality at Devon County Council's water summit. We appreciate the opportunity to help shape the event and continue to engage constructively with the council."

The council will also host Devon’s first Water Quality Summit this autumn.

Led by the council’s deputy leader, Paul Arnott, the summit will bring together regulators, water companies, district councils, landowners, community groups and other stakeholders involved in protecting and improving Devon’s rivers, streams, estuaries and coastal waters.The council says that only around a fifth of Devon’s surface water bodies currently meet the “good ecological status” required under national regulations.

Key pressures include agricultural runoff, urban pollution, wastewater discharges and the impacts of climate change on rainfall and flooding.Mr Arnott said: “Water quality is rightly a matter of strong public concern. Residents should have confidence in the safety of their water and in the protection of the natural environment.“The summit will provide an opportunity for open and constructive dialogue between all relevant organisations, including expectations around investment, infrastructure and environmental performance.”Some local authorities have taken legal action against water companies in specific circumstances, including the use of s222 of the Local Government Act 1972.

The council says it's currently considering all its options and how to best serve and protect its residents and communities.