Devon County Council is investigating whether legal action could be taken over ongoing concerns about sewage discharges and water quality across the county.
Council leader Julian Brazil has asked officers to examine what legal options are available, including whether enforcement action or other proceedings could be pursued under the authority’s powers.
The review comes amid growing public concern about water quality in Devon, including the contamination of drinking water in and around Brixham in May 2024.
The outbreak, caused by the parasite cryptosporidium, led to more than 140 confirmed cases of sickness and diarrhoea. Four people were taken to hospital.
South West Water was later fined £1.9m by the relevant regulator over the incident.
Announcing the review, Cllr Brazil said residents had been ‘let down for too long’ and stressed the council was examining what role it could play alongside national regulators.
‘Residents rightly expect safe and reliable water services,’ he said. ‘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.’
He added: ‘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 potential action would depend on legal advice and whether the necessary evidential thresholds could be met, the council said.
The authority is also planning to host Devon’s first Water Quality Summit this autumn. Led by deputy leader, Paul Arnott, he 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.’
Image: Amritanshu Sikdar
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