The company said unauthorised access to the public water supply also puts the quality of the water supply at risk, as well as potentially damaging the network infrastructure.
South West Water’s contracts, compliance and business development manager, Paul Mitchell, said: “Connecting unauthorised standpipes to our network is an issue we take very seriously.”
He added: “It can also interfere with our customers’ supplies or fire service activities. We monitor the use of our network closely and will take action against anyone who is detected making unauthorised use of a standpipe.”
Only authorised standpipes can be connected to South West Water’s infrastructure at approved locations. Unauthorised use could result in a fine of up to £3,000 for each incident.
The warning comes after a number of businesses were prosecuted last year for unauthorised access to the water supply network.
Keily Bros, a road surfacing company from Birmingham, was ordered to pay a total of £2,003.70 after using an unauthorised standpipe to access the water near Wellington; FCC Environment Services of Okehampton was ordered to pay £3,317.94; and Bristol-based CJL Construction was ordered to pay a total of £2,574.40.