South Staffs Water has successfully prosecuted two more companies for illegally taking water from a hydrant, through unauthorised use of a standpipe.

S & G Sweepers, based in Birmingham, pleaded guilty to the offence which took place in Tamworth in February 2020. The company was ordered to pay almost £12,000 in fines and legal costs by Cannock Magistrates Court.

A second company, Aqua-Jet Specialist Drainage Contractors Ltd, based in Hilton, pleaded guilty to the offence, which took place in Draycott in the Clay in January 2020. The company was ordered to pay a total of £5,246.00 in fines and legal costs by Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court.

In May the water company also successfully prosecuted Crown Highways Ltd for illegally taking water from a hydrant through unauthorised use of a standpipe.

Crown Highways Ltd based in Burntwood, pleaded guilty to the offence on the 10 May 2021 which took place in Alrewas in October 2019. The company was ordered to pay a total of £4,746 in fines and legal costs by Newcastle under Lyme Magistrates Court.

Mark Jeffries, lead water supplies officer, South Staffs Water coimmented:

“It is illegal to connect to the water supply network without proper authorisation. When companies connect without authorisation, the quality and the pressure of water supplied to our customers can be compromised and that is not acceptable.

“Our priority is to provide a safe and reliable water supply to all of our customers, and we take it very seriously when the actions of others impact our ability to do this, so are pleased that this prosecution has taken place. We hope it discourages others from acting irresponsibly in the future.

“Companies can hire an authorised standpipe, if they need a temporary water supply. We will provide training on how to use the equipment correctly and safely so that our customers’ water is protected.”