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Cambridge Water Co. v. Eastern Counties Leather PLC

House of Lords

2 A.C. 264, 1 All E.R. 53 (1994)

Facts

Eastern Counties Leather PLC (Eastern Counties) (defendant) operated a tannery. Eastern Counties used perchloroethene (PCE), a solvent, to degrease pelts. PCE seeped into the ground beneath Eastern Counties and eventually traveled 1.3 miles to a borehole for water owned by Cambridge Water Co. (plaintiff), contaminating the water. Cambridge Water sued Eastern Counties, asserting claims for negligence, nuisance, and strict liability. The trial court dismissed Cambridge Water’s complaint, and Cambridge Water appealed. The appellate court reversed, holding that Eastern Counties was strictly liable for the water contamination. Eastern Counties appealed.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (Goff, J.)

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