South West Water CEO to be quizzed by MP's on parasite outbreak
Suzy Davy has been asked to appear in front of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee.
The boss of South West Water- at the centre of a parasite outbreak in Devon- will be quizzed by MPs over the incident.
Sir Robert Goodwill MP, chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, has sent a letter to Susan Davy, chief executive of Pennon Group, the parent company of South West Water (SWW), about the cryptosporidium outbreak in Brixham.
He said the committee have requested Ms Davy attends a meeting on 5 June to answer questions about how the incident had been handled.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said on Tuesday there were 57 confirmed cases of cryptosporidiosis, which causes vomiting and diarrhoea.
SWW said boil tap water notices for 2,500 properties in Brixham were still in place, with bottled water being given to affected customers.
In his letter to Ms Davy, Sir Robert said the committee were "deeply troubled" by the outbreak.
He wrote: "In failing to supply safe water and in responding slowly and ineffectively to the outbreak, South West Water has fallen far short of its responsibilities to its customers."
Sir Robert added: "We feel it is essential that we consider the cause of the outbreak and your immediate and long-term response to this crisis.
"It is vital that lessons are learned quickly to prevent a similar, and potentially even more dangerous, outbreak occurring again."
The committee has asked Ms Davy to submit a written account of the outbreak's handling by 31 May.
Ms Davy said she and SWW were "truly sorry" about the outbreak, with the company set to pay up to £3.5m in compensation to people affected by the outbreak.