Firm fined a second time for putting public water supply at risk

04th May 2017

South West Water is urging businesses not to steal water from its public supply network or they could run the risk of prosecution. A standpipe hire service is available instead. 

The advice follows the successful prosecution of Magique Ltd (trading as Gerry Cottle's WOW Circus) on 25 April 2017 at Plymouth Magistrates' Court. The company was charged with intentionally or recklessly interfering with a hydrant belonging to South West Water at Plymouth Central Park on 8 September 2016.

Magique Ltd was fined £600 and was ordered to pay costs of £1,406.76 and a victim surcharge of £60 bringing the total to £2,066.76. This is the second time the circus has been successfully prosecuted by South West Water.

Bob Taylor, South West Water's Operations Director for Drinking Water Services, said: "Connecting unauthorised standpipes to our network is an issue we take very seriously.

"It creates a potential risk to water quality, which could result in public health issues and damage to our infrastructure. It can also interfere with our customers' supplies or fire service activities. We monitor the use of our network closely and will take action against anyone who is detected making unauthorised use of a standpipe."

Only authorised standpipes can be connected to South West Water's infrastructure at approved locations and unauthorised use could result in a fine of up to £3,000 for each incident.

To help all customers, including charities and community organisations, South West Water has set up a special standpipe hire service with Aquam Water Services Ltd.

For more information or to arrange standpipe hire, please call Aquam Water Services Ltd on 0844 756 4000 or email them via southwestwater@waterservicesltd.com