Company fined over harmful water

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Welsh Water admitted four counts of supplying water unfit for human consumption at Caernarfon Magistrates' Court.

Between October 2005 and January 2006, 231 customers including babies and pensioners in the Gwynedd and Anglesey areas of North Wales were infected with the stomach bug Cryptosporidium.

John Charles Rees QC, defending Welsh Water, told the court that the company had been "slow" in implementing, monitoring and sampling of its water in 2005.

He said: "The managing director of the company, who is in court, and the board of directors are truly devastated and sorry."

Mr Rees said the sampling system of the water should have been "implemented" in September 2005.

Initially Welsh Water faced five counts of supplying water unfit for human consumption, but one count was withdrawn due to a technicality on Thursday.

The court also heard that Welsh Water has taken steps to prevent further outbreaks.

Cryptosporidium is a virus which causes symptoms including nausea, diarrhoea and headaches.

Welsh Water was also ordered by the court to pay costs of £69,399.43.