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SESW prosecutes company for illegally taking water from mains

Sutton and East Surrey Water (SESW) has prosecuted Lanes Group plc for illegally filling tankers with water from its hydrants on two separate occasions whilst working on a contract for Thames Water.

Lanes Group pleaded guilty to six offences at Redhill Magistrates Court and was fined a total of £5,120.

SESW’s water quality science manager Rob Baldry said: “The actions by Lane Group’s operatives created significant risk to the safety and security of the drinking water supply.  

“Not only had Lanes Group not paid for this water, but the use of unauthorised large bore standpipes has the potential to disturb sediment in the mains which can lead to discolouration of the water supply.

“Having worked so hard to produce high quality drinking water, we find it unacceptable that it should then be spoiled by such irresponsible acts.”

Lanes Group was caught on two separate occasions leading up to the prosecution in a supply area where water must only be taken using an authorized small bore standpipe.

Wales-based water supplier Dee Valley Water also won a legal case in January against a waste management company which had filled a tanker with water from one of the its hydrants without a permit.