Latest news with #cryptosporidium
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Relief in Brixham as South West Water boss retires
South West Water (SWW) boss Susan Davy's retirement has come as a welcome relief for one customer. Brixham resident Louise Harcarova-Geary fell ill during the cryptosporidium outbreak along with her young daughter in 2024. The outbreak, which left 143 people ill and led to four hospitalisations, was traced to a contaminated reservoir. Ms Davy's retirement was a "good thing, because there might be some change from this", said Ms Harcarova-Geary. Pennon Group, which owns SWW, praised her leadership, with chairman David Sproul saying she navigated the group "through some challenging external headwinds to emerge stronger and more resilient". Ms Harcarova-Geary, who still relies on bottled water a year after the outbreak, said she had lost trust in the company's supply. "Hopefully funds can be distributed properly to make sure our water integration system is properly maintained going forward," she said. Ms Davy, who had been with SWW's parent company Pennon Group for nearly two decades, faced mounting criticism for her handling of the crisis. Just a day before her retirement was announced, water regulator Ofwat revealed a £24m enforcement package against SWW, citing failings in how the company managed its network. Cryptosporidium outbreak in Brixham: Contaminated drinking water led to 143 confirmed illnesses and four hospitalisations in 2024 Regulatory action by Ofwat: Ofwat found failings in South West Water's management of wastewater treatment and sewer networks. A £24m enforcement package was introduced to avoid a £19m fine Environmental and pollution concerns: In June, one of SWW's treatment works was the source of pollution that killed thousands of fish in a Cornish river Repeated storm overflow incidents In April a burst water main in Plymouth left hundreds of homes and businesses without water for several days In a statement, Pennon Group praised Ms Davy's leadership, highlighting her role in acquiring three other water companies and overseeing a £4.2bn sale of waste firm Viridor. The company also noted her announcement of a record £3.2bn capital investment programme over the next five years. Pennon's board will conduct a formal search for a successor, during which time Ms Davy will continue to helm the company, it said in a statement. Details of Ms Davy's retirement compensation will be published on the company's website, it said. She will be treated as a "good leaver" under the board's remuneration policy. Ms Davy said: "Running a water company is always interesting, often challenging, but totally fulfilling "I have enjoyed taking responsibility for the provision of a sustainable service to millions of homes." Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ South West Water boss Susan Davy to retire Enforcement action of £24m for water firm failures Watch: South West Water boss on bills and spills South West Water
The Independent
19-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Parasitic infection outbreak linked to farm feeding sessions declared over
An outbreak of a parasitic infection linked to public animal feeding sessions at a popular farm in South Wales has been declared over by local health authorities. Cases of cryptosporidium infection began appearing in visitors to the Cowbridge Farm Shop at Marlborough Grange Farm in the Vale of Glamorgan in March, and continued to rise over the next two months. Public Health Wales said on Thursday the outbreak was now officially over after a total of 89 confirmed cases. It was previously confirmed that the infection had led to 16 people requiring hospital care for at least one night. No new cases of the infection have been identified since a multi-agency response meeting held on May 28. The farm stopped all public feeding sessions involving animals, including calves and lambs, on April 29 and continues to co-operate with the investigation. Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that causes gastrointestinal illness and is commonly associated with contact with farm animals. It can spread easily from person to person and poses increased risk to young children and those with weakened immune systems. A full outbreak review will now take place and an outbreak report will be produced looking into the incident. Susan Mably, consultant in health protection at Public Health Wales, said: 'We would like to thank everyone affected by this outbreak for their understanding and co-operation. 'We are particularly grateful to our colleagues from Shared Regulatory Services, Vale of Glamorgan Council, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and the Animal and Plant Health Agency for their expertise and partnership throughout this investigation.'
BBC News
03-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Water firm's losses deepen after Devon parasite outbreak
South West Water's parent company has reported widening losses following a parasite outbreak in Group posted a pre-tax loss of £72.7m for the year ending March, a sharp increase from the £9.1m loss recorded the previous year. A major contributor was the cryptosporidium outbreak in Brixham, south Devon, which cost the company about £21m, it increased water bills by 28% on average from April, which it said would fund ongoing investment plans. The parasite outbreak, which contaminated the local water supply, led to hospitalisations and more than 100 reported cases of illness, including symptoms such as diarrhoea. Pennon said about 800 staff and supply chain partners worked intensively over eight weeks to restore safe drinking water to the affected addition to the outbreak costs, the company also absorbed £15.8m in restructuring expenses over the the financial hit, Pennon said it was pushing ahead with plans to invest £3.2bn in its infrastructure by 2030. The investment will fund new reservoirs, storm overflow repairs, net zero initiatives, and service support this, SWW customers saw their bills rise by an average from April. Customers of Bristol Water and Sutton and East Surrey Water, also owned by Pennon, faced increases of 5% and 3%, respectively. Pennon said the bill hikes would cover about a third of the planned investment. 'Tough decision' "We know customers are worried about rising bills to fund this level of investment," said Susan Davy, chief executive of Pennon. "While we have made the tough decision to put bills up in 2025/26, for the first time in over a decade, two-thirds of our investments are being funded by our supportive investors and debt providers."Ultimately everyone will benefit from the investments we are making, from building reservoirs, to fixing storm overflows, powering our net zero ambitions and helping to create economic growth."Despite ongoing dry weather, Ms Davy said the South West was not expected to face a hosepipe ban this summer. Pennon said it anticipates a return to profitability in the coming year, driven by increased revenues and streamlined business operations. A landmark review by the independent Water Commission found the water sector in England and Wales is failing and needs stronger regulation to better protect billpayers and the environment.
The Independent
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
South West Water owner Pennon says losses deepened after Devon parasite outbreak
South West Water owner Pennon has reported widening losses following a parasite outbreak in Devon, while it said hiking water bills this year would help fund its £3.2 billion investment plans. The utilities firm reported a pre-tax loss of £72.7 million for the year to the end of March, widening from the £9.1 million loss reported last year. Last year's incident in Brixham, south Devon, cost it about £21 million, pushing it deeper into an annual loss, it said. An outbreak of cryptosporidium – a parasite that causes infection – in the water supply left some people in hospital, while more than 100 others reported symptoms including diarrhoea. Pennon said about 800 of its staff and supply chain partners spent eight weeks over the summer working to return safe clean drinking water for people and businesses in the area. The wider annual loss also reflects £15.8 million in costs related to restructuring actions over the year, it revealed. Meanwhile, Pennon said plans to ramp up investment in its infrastructure, and encouraging its customers to use less water to save money, had affected its profitability. The group is targeting £3.2 billion worth of investment by 2030, incorporating work to build new reservoirs, fix storm overflows, meet its net zero commitments, and improve services for customers. Bills for South West Water customers surged by 28% on average from April, while bills for Bristol Water and Sutton and East Surrey (SES) customers are rising by 5% and 3% respectively. Pennon said the bill hikes would help fund around a third of its investments. Susan Davy, Pennon's chief executive, said: 'We know customers are worried about rising bills to fund this level of investment. 'While we have made the tough decision to put bills up in 2025/26 – for the first time in over a decade – two-thirds of our investments are being funded by our supportive investors and debt providers. 'Ultimately everyone will benefit from the investments we are making – from building reservoirs, to fixing storm overflows, powering our net zero ambitions and helping to create economic growth.' She added that, despite persistent dry weather, 'we're predicting that the South West won't need a hosepipe ban this summer'. It is also expecting to return to profitability in the year ahead through increased revenues and shaking up business costs.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
South West Water owner Pennon says losses deepened after Devon parasite outbreak
South West Water owner Pennon has reported widening losses following a parasite outbreak in Devon, while it said hiking water bills this year would help fund its £3.2 billion investment plans. The utilities firm reported a pre-tax loss of £72.7 million for the year to the end of March, widening from the £9.1 million loss reported last year. Last year's incident in Brixham, south Devon, cost it about £21 million, pushing it deeper into an annual loss, it said. An outbreak of cryptosporidium – a parasite that causes infection – in the water supply left some people in hospital, while more than 100 others reported symptoms including diarrhoea. Pennon said about 800 of its staff and supply chain partners spent eight weeks over the summer working to return safe clean drinking water for people and businesses in the area. The wider annual loss also reflects £15.8 million in costs related to restructuring actions over the year, it revealed. Meanwhile, Pennon said plans to ramp up investment in its infrastructure, and encouraging its customers to use less water to save money, had affected its profitability. The group is targeting £3.2 billion worth of investment by 2030, incorporating work to build new reservoirs, fix storm overflows, meet its net zero commitments, and improve services for customers. Bills for South West Water customers surged by 28% on average from April, while bills for Bristol Water and Sutton and East Surrey (SES) customers are rising by 5% and 3% respectively. Pennon said the bill hikes would help fund around a third of its investments. Susan Davy, Pennon's chief executive, said: 'We know customers are worried about rising bills to fund this level of investment. 'While we have made the tough decision to put bills up in 2025/26 – for the first time in over a decade – two-thirds of our investments are being funded by our supportive investors and debt providers. 'Ultimately everyone will benefit from the investments we are making – from building reservoirs, to fixing storm overflows, powering our net zero ambitions and helping to create economic growth.' She added that, despite persistent dry weather, 'we're predicting that the South West won't need a hosepipe ban this summer'. It is also expecting to return to profitability in the year ahead through increased revenues and shaking up business costs. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
