Remember the cryptosporidium outbreak that left us unable to drink the water for weeks?

United Utilities are now facing prosecution over the outbreak which lasted for three weeks.

It centres on an investigation by the Drinking water Inspectorate about the outbreak of the bug from the Franklaw water treatment works to the north of the city.

It left 700,000 people unable to drink the water.

Three charges have been levied by the inspectors who say it supplied water unfit for human consumption, failed to properly disinfect supplies and failed to design and continuously operate an adequate treatment process.

The Drinking Water Inspectorate has faced criticism for its investigation – which has taken approaching two years to conclude.

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The outbreak began in early August 2015 and lasted for three weeks.

A spokesman for United Utilities said it had complied with all requests for information.