A Liverpool contractor has been handed a fine for illegally tampering with the public water supply during the construction of an apartment block
Contractor Carpenter Project Ltd has been prosecuted for tampering with the water supply. The contractor interfered with the supply during the construction of an apartment block without consent.
The case, which was brought before Liverpool Magistrates’ Court, heard how the firm failed to gain consent from United Utilities for the work. It was brought to the attention of the water firm after a resident of the flats reported the water supply had a chemical and metallic odour.
Water quality sampling was undertaken, which found high concentrations of organic compounds in the water. Residents were advised not to drink the water while the investigations were ongoing.
Some 31 customers were affected.
Water supply attached without following regulations
Principal contractor for the work Carpenter Projects said it instructed subcontractors to attach the pipe to the public water supply.
United Utilities said it had no idea if the method of connection was safe or met UK regulatory requirements for the provision of drinking water to domestic properties.
Investigators had to use high-tech specialist equipment called a ‘thumper’ device to locate the connection point, which was hidden.
New pipework was then laid over a period of weeks by a water engineer to ensure the 100-bed apartment blocks were supplied with safe drinking water.
The firm pleaded guilty to one breach interfering with a water main without consent under section 174(1)(a) of the Water Industry Act 1991 and was ordered to pay a fine of £4,770.
