Private water supply prosecution

Failing to return information about a private water supply has cost a local man over £970 after he was prosecuted by Powys County Council.

Now the council’s Environmental Protection Team is warning residents who have a private water supply to return their information to the council when they receive a requisition for information (RFI) notice or they could face prosecution.

Mr Robert Lewis of Gwernfawr, Pontrobert near Meifod was prosecuted under Section 85 of the Water Industry Act 1991 for not returning a RFI notice about his private water supply.

He was fined £660 and also ordered to pay £150 investigation costs, £100 legal costs and a £66 victim surcharge.

Cllr John Powell, Cabinet Member for Environmental Protection, said: “The council has a duty to maintain an accurate record of all private water supplies in the county and we send out questionnaires to all those properties we believe is served by a private water supply to collect this data.

“The replies provide very useful information during pollution incidents. For example, if there is a diesel or heating oil leak we would be able to advise of private water supplies in the locality that may be at risk from contamination and warn of the potential dangers. 

“Prosecution is always the last resort and all reasonable efforts are made to contact the person prior to formal action being taken.

“In this case, we received no communication from Mr Lewis so we were left with no option but to start legal proceedings and seek prosecution. We hope this case will serve as a reminder to others that if they fail to return information on their private water supply then they could face prosecution.”