Dee Valley Water has successfully prosecuted two businesses in the Chester area for illegally accessing water from hydrants connected to its water supply network.
The two companies prosecuted were Clean Line Waste Water Solutions Limited of Birkenhead and TDM Drainage Ltd (trading as Metro Rod) based in Deeside. Following a successful court case, both were charged with offences that breached Section 174 of the Water Industry Act 1991 and received quite significant financial penalties of a fine with full costs awarded plus an additional victim surcharge.
Following a number of complaints made about water quality within the Chester area, the company paid particular attention to the problematic areas which eventually led to its staff finding tankers owned by the two companies filling up from a hydrant and who were subsequently prosecuted.
Commenting after the case, Ian Plenderleith, Dee Valley’s CEO said:
“Accessing a water hydrant without authorisation can cause serious incidents of discolouration to the water supply and can lead to disruptions to our service and to many customers including schools, hospitals and other sensitive customers. “
“It can also cause damage to a water or fire hydrant resulting in it being inoperable by ourselves or by the emergency services and we treat such matters very seriously. We therefore hope that these successful prosecutions will serve as a warning to others that we will pursue and prosecute anyone who illegally accesses water from our supply network.”
The water companysaid that it recognised that on occasion third parties may legitimately request the use of water hydrants for a number of reasons including road sweeping, drainage clearance, road re-surfacing and building demolition..
However, this has to be done in a controlled manner to protect water quality to all its customers. The company therefore facilitates the agreed use of hydrants on its supply network subject to charges, permit and conditions of use.
Ian Plenderleith added:
“Whilst our network Inspectors remain vigilant when they’re out and about, we would also ask the general public to also keep a watch out for third parties using hydrants and report anything suspicious directly to us by contacting our 24/7 Control Room on 01978 846946 as it could be their water supply that’s being affected by the illegal usage.”
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