Bromsgrove firm to pay £15,000 over water supply breach

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THE BROMSGROVE branch of a management company has been ordered to pay more than £15,000 after breaching Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations.

PJ Hirons Management Limited was fined £600, with £14,487.40 costs and a £15 victim surcharge after the prosecution, which was brought by Severn Trent.

It related to the company being employed by a haulage firm to install an untreated water supply from a borehole to wash vehicles. But, the way it was installed meant it was connected to the public water supply.

Residents in Leek, Staffordshire, where the company was based, complained of taste and discoloured water issues and, after investigating, Severn Trent installed 17 ‘Do Not Drink’ notices to properties in Cheddleton as a precautionary measure.

Andy Smith, Severn Trent Water’s water services director, said: “As soon as we were contacted by customers we immediately followed up on the issue.

"We discovered that the connection between the borehole and the mains water supply was fitted without adequate care and attention.

“Public health is at the forefront of all Severn Trent’s work and we take any water quality incidents very seriously.

“Our customers pay for high quality water, so it is important that we prosecute offenders in appropriate cases and take action to recover costs where possible.

"We rapidly rectified the situation to avoid any further concern for those affected.

“Rather than having to take action in court, we would prefer to work together with businesses to prevent any breaches occurring in the first place.”

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