Three Valleys water fined for unfit water supply

Three Valleys water company pleaded guilty to supplying untreated water to residents of Colney Heath.

The water firm was found guilty of providing water which was "unfit for human consumption" by the St Albans Magistrates’ Court.

The Drinking Water Inspectorate prosecuted the company after residents complained about the taste and colour of water coming out of their taps.

Three Valleys was found to have supplied three homes through a pipe which had been carrying untreated water. One of those homes was not occupied during the period when the water with unacceptable levels of bacteria was supplied.

While the firm was found guilty, district councillor Chris Brazier expressed his outrage that it only faced a fine of £12,000.

He said: "Three Valleys should have been fined something like £500,000 - that would give it the real kick in the backside it deserves."

Earlier this year, the firm was criticised for leaving it two weeks to fix a leaking fire hydrant.