THE Drinking Water Inspectorate is to prosecute United Utilities over the cryptosporidium outbreak in 2015.

The chief inspector of the Drinking Water Inspectorate has brought proceedings against the the water company after it was said to have supplied water unfit for human consumption.

Approximately 700,000 people in Lancashire were affected including residents in Mellor, Mellor Brook, Samlesbury, Chorley, Abbey Village as well as those further afield in Preston, Blackpool and the Fylde coast.

MORE TOP STORIES:

United Utilities will appear at Preston Magistrates Court on June 30 to face three charges relating to water supplied from Franklaw Water Treatment Works in Preston between July 30 and September 7.

A Drinking Water Inspectorate spokesman said: "The Drinking Water Inspectorate was set up in January 1990.

"Its main task is to check that water companies in England and Wales supply wholesome drinking water and in doing so comply with the requirements of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations.

"Proceedings are being taken forward in the name of the Chief Inspector of Drinking Water against United Utilities Water Limited for an event that affected approximately 700,000 people in the area of Preston and Blackpool, the Fylde Coast and the area south of Preston between 6 August 2015 and 6 September 2015."