United Utilities is to be prosecuted over water contamination that left thousands of local residents unable to drink tap water for more than three weeks.



The cryptosporidium bug was found at Franklaw water treatment works outside Preston on 6th August 2015.

It affected supplies on the Fylde Coast.

The prosecution is being brought by the Drinking Water Inspectorate.

United Utilities said it took "a full and open role" during the DWI inquiry.

The firm faces three charges alleging it supplied water unfit for human consumption, it failed to properly disinfect supplies, and it failed to design and continuously operate an adequate treatment process.

Click here to listen to reaction from Blackpool South MP, Gordon Marsden, who spoke to Radio Wave News: