Doe Sport Limited of Colchester, Essex illegally connected to a water hydrant in Gaces Acre, Newport, despite being told by Veolia Water that a licence and special training was required.
Inappropriate handling of a hydrant can damage it and cause an interruption to supply and can compromise water quality. It can also make the hydrant unusable to the fire service in an emergency.
Doe Sport Limited was fined £700 by Harlow Magistrates Court as well as £1,112.50 in costs.
Veolia Water’s Water Quality Manager Mike Webb said: “We are pleased that Doe Sport Limited was fined for illegally using fire hydrants, but we’re also saddened that they chose to break the law by putting our water supply and lives at risk in this way.
“I hope these prosecutions serve to remind contractors and others that we will not hesitate to protect the public through the courts.”
Veolia Water offers licences and training for commercial companies wanting to take water from hydrants to ensure water supply is not compromised by improper use.