The boss of a water firm has apologised to residents of a town in Devon after contaminants caused several people to become violently ill, as the company confirmed compensation will be upped significantly .
A waterborne parasite known as cryptosporidium in the water supply has caused a wave of sickness, with reports of vomiting and diarrhoea among locals and visitors, with 22 cases currently confirmed. Locals in several areas, including Brixham, Boohay, Kingswear, Roseland, and northeast Paignton, have been advised by South West Water (SWW) to boil their water before consuming it, cooking with it, or even brushing their teeth.
To ensure access to safe drinking water, bottled water stations have been set up in affected areas, with vulnerable individuals receiving doorstep deliveries. SWW's Susan Davey apologised to those affected, adding those affected will received £115: “All of us at South West Water live and work in the region, just like you. It is our home and a place we love. I am sorry this has happened.
The infection has caused sickness in the affected towns (Getty Images/iStockphoto)“While incidents like these are thankfully very rare, our customers expect a safe, clean, and reliable source of drinking water. I know on this occasion we have fallen significantly short of what you expect of us. I promise you we will not stop working until the situation has been resolved and drinking water returns to the quality level you expect."
A local MP later revealed the cause of the cryptosporidium outbreak had been identified as a faulty air valve. Totnes MP Anthony Mangnall, whose area covers Brixham, said the damaged valve could have let in animal waste or dirty water.
Water bills to rise by up to £47 a year from April - how to cut your costs
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said in an update SWW believes it has located the source of the contamination but investigations are continuing and the boil water notice remains in place. Customers are advised not to consume untreated tap water - this includes not drinking, cooking, preparing food or brushing teeth with tap water for the time being. Normal tap water may be used for washing, bathing and toilet flushing.
A Defra spokesperson said: “We are receiving regular updates South West Water, who are working with the Drinking Water Inspectorate and UK Health Security Agency, to identify the source of the contamination. We need South West Water to resolve this issue and ensure clean water returns to the Brixham area as soon as possible.
“We will also be working with the local authority, MPs and other partners locally to ensure the local community is supported during this time. We can assure residents that boiled water is safe and we ask them to continue to follow the boiling measures as advised.”
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
