Drinking Water Failures

Introduction to the Issue

Anglian Water was fined £1.4 million for drinking water failures that affected around 1.3 million people. The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) stated that the company used unauthorized plastic products in drinking water tanks at four different locations.

Cause of the Failure

The unauthorized pipes were installed between 2016 and 2019 and remained until 2021. The DWI investigation revealed major problems, including a lack of personnel training, poor monitoring of the supply chain, and in some cases, the company was aware that the products contained unauthorized materials but still used them.

Reaction to the Incident

The Environment Minister described the contamination of drinking water as "scandalous and a complete shame." The £1.4 million fine is intended to send a clear signal that such behavior is unacceptable. Anglian Water delivers water to an area of eastern England from the Humber to the Thames mouth.

Remedial Actions

According to the DWI, all issues have been resolved since then. Anglian Water reported the failures to the DWI, pleaded guilty at the Northampton Crown Court, and accepted the judgment. The company apologized for the incident, stating that its procedures had fallen short and that it has since invested significantly to improve them.

Details of the Contamination

The plastic base coatings in the drinking water tanks broke down into flakes and powder that entered the water supply. However, Anglian Water contested this, stating that despite the violation, there was no evidence of contamination of the water supply. The judge agreed, based on independent expert reports, that the risk to customers was very low.

Aftermath and Price Increases

As of April, Anglian Water’s prices increased by 19% per year, from £527 to £626, an increase of £99. The company has taken steps to improve its procedures and has shared its knowledge with the water industry to prevent similar incidents in the future.